Luboobi back in Makerere race
Sep 29, 2009
<b>By Francis Kagolo</b> <br>THE outgoing Makerere University vice-chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, is back in the contest for the university’s top administrative seat.
By Francis Kagolo
THE outgoing Makerere University vice-chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, is back in the contest for the university’s top administrative seat.
Luboobi, whose contract expired in May this year, is contesting alongside three other candidates, to regain the vice-chancellor’s job.
An official of the university appointments board said Luboobi submitted the application last Monday.
The spokesperson, Gilbert Kadilo, said: “We stopped receiving applications for the post on Monday. Only four professors expressed interest in the job.â€
Others in the race are the dean of the faculty of information and computing technology, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, social sciences faculty dean Prof. Edward Kirumira and the head of the faculty of economics and management, Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu.
Luboobi, a professor of mathematics, became vice-chancellor in May 2004, taking over from Prof. John Ssebuwufu.
However, during his five-year-term, the university was engulfed in internal wrangles amid reports of financial mismanagement and maladministration that drove students and lecturers into endless strikes.
His administration also faced a major blow on April 7 last year when the university academic staff association general assembly moved a vote of no confidence in his management.
The association urged Luboobi, his deputy in charge of finance and administration, Prof. David Bakibinga, the university secretary, Sam Akorimo and the bursar, Ben Byambabazi, to resign, but they ignored the call.
A few months to the expiry of his term, Luboobi fell sick and was admitted to Mulago Hospital for several weeks. He was later taken to India for further treatment.
Kadilo said five academics want the post of deputy vice-chancellor.
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who had earlier expressed interest in the top job, has re-applied for deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academics, a post she has held since 2004.
Others contesting for the same post are Prof. Katunguka Rwakishaya, the School of Postgraduate Studies director and Elly-Sam Magara, a professor in the East African School of Library and Information Science.
Prof. Jotham Kwesiga, who has been in the finance department and Prof. Sanda Tikodiri of the faculty of technology are vying for the post of deputy vice-chancellor for finance and administration.
Prof. David Bakibinga, who was Luboobi’s deputy, has not expressed interest.
University council chairperson Matthew Rukikaire said shortlisting would start today, adding that by October 24, an acting vice-chancellor would be appointed until the Government appoints a substantive one.
The council has urged contestants to perform if elected, warning that it will employ foreigners if they fail to deliver.
In a related development, university bursar Ben Byambabazi, secretary Sam Akorimo, Librarian Dr. Maria Musoke, and the university academic registrar, Amos Olar-Odur, have left office after the expiry of their contracts.
THE outgoing Makerere University vice-chancellor, Prof. Livingstone Luboobi, is back in the contest for the university’s top administrative seat.
Luboobi, whose contract expired in May this year, is contesting alongside three other candidates, to regain the vice-chancellor’s job.
An official of the university appointments board said Luboobi submitted the application last Monday.
The spokesperson, Gilbert Kadilo, said: “We stopped receiving applications for the post on Monday. Only four professors expressed interest in the job.â€
Others in the race are the dean of the faculty of information and computing technology, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, social sciences faculty dean Prof. Edward Kirumira and the head of the faculty of economics and management, Prof. Ddumba Ssentamu.
Luboobi, a professor of mathematics, became vice-chancellor in May 2004, taking over from Prof. John Ssebuwufu.
However, during his five-year-term, the university was engulfed in internal wrangles amid reports of financial mismanagement and maladministration that drove students and lecturers into endless strikes.
His administration also faced a major blow on April 7 last year when the university academic staff association general assembly moved a vote of no confidence in his management.
The association urged Luboobi, his deputy in charge of finance and administration, Prof. David Bakibinga, the university secretary, Sam Akorimo and the bursar, Ben Byambabazi, to resign, but they ignored the call.
A few months to the expiry of his term, Luboobi fell sick and was admitted to Mulago Hospital for several weeks. He was later taken to India for further treatment.
Kadilo said five academics want the post of deputy vice-chancellor.
Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who had earlier expressed interest in the top job, has re-applied for deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academics, a post she has held since 2004.
Others contesting for the same post are Prof. Katunguka Rwakishaya, the School of Postgraduate Studies director and Elly-Sam Magara, a professor in the East African School of Library and Information Science.
Prof. Jotham Kwesiga, who has been in the finance department and Prof. Sanda Tikodiri of the faculty of technology are vying for the post of deputy vice-chancellor for finance and administration.
Prof. David Bakibinga, who was Luboobi’s deputy, has not expressed interest.
University council chairperson Matthew Rukikaire said shortlisting would start today, adding that by October 24, an acting vice-chancellor would be appointed until the Government appoints a substantive one.
The council has urged contestants to perform if elected, warning that it will employ foreigners if they fail to deliver.
In a related development, university bursar Ben Byambabazi, secretary Sam Akorimo, Librarian Dr. Maria Musoke, and the university academic registrar, Amos Olar-Odur, have left office after the expiry of their contracts.