Museveni happy with current Makerere University leadership - Tayebwa

EDUCATION | MAKERERE | MUSEVENI 

KAMPALA - Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa has revealed that President Museveni is pleased with the current hierarchy of the Makerere University. 

According to Tayebwa, the president feels the university is heading in the right direction.  

Tayebwa, who was representing the government at an event organised to drum up support for the university's centenary celebrations due next year, made the revelation, Thursday at the University's campus in Kampala.

Starting in 1922 as a vocational institute to train staff for the colonial government, the university is set to turn 100 years next year.

“The President recently made it clear in the caucus meeting," he said. 

"He said very clearly that ‘whoever wants to see me and face my wrath should dare touch the current leadership at Makerere.’

"He was clear he doesn’t want any disruption and I got the impression he is determined to be the firewall shielding the current leadership at Makerere against any attacks,” Tayebwa noted.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe currently occupies the vice chancellor seat, having assumed the seat in August 2017, following a recommendation by the University Council.

This is after he got the most votes in the race that also had Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, who was seeking a second term, and Prof Edward Kirumira.

The vice chancellor is the chief coordinator of all administrative, academic and public relations affairs of the university. 

He is also the direct link between the university and the Government, the public and the academic institutions within and outside Uganda.

Nawangwe, an architect by profession, took over from Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu, who had been at the helm since September 2012. 

Other members of governing hierarchy at the University include Lorna Magara, who is the chairperson of the University Council, and Prof Ezra Suruma, who is the chancellor.