Nsibambi new MUK chancellor
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi yesterday made history. He became the first non-head of state Ugandan to become Makerere University chancellor. He also became the first chancellor to be welcomed with protests.
By Alfred Wasike and Jude Etyang
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi yesterday made history. He became the first non-head of state Ugandan to become Makerere University chancellor. He also became the first chancellor to be welcomed with protests.
He warned that the prestigious 81-year-old university must modernise.
Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya installed Nsibambi at a colourful ceremony.
Bukenya symbolically dressed Nsibambi with the chancellor’s red-and-black gown and matching headgear at the main hall.
He also handed Nsibambi the key to his office and mace, a symbol of authority over the Ivory Tower.
President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech read by Bukenya, hailed the University Council for recommending Nsibambi for the post. He said Nsibambi was the right choice owing to his high integrity and a sound academic background.
Museveni said Nsibambi would live to their expectation.
The ceremony was attended by Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, the First and second deputy prime ministers Henry Kajura and Lt General Moses Ali and finance minister Gerald Sendaula.
Also in attendance was South African High Commissioner Bavumile Vilakazi and Rwanda’s envoy Christine Umtoni, besides a host of over 50 professors from different universities in Uganda.
Nsibambi, who has worked at East Africa’s oldest institution for decades, said Makerere faced global and local challenges that include the increased demand for higher education that is not matched by adequate resources.
Nsibambi took over the coveted post from Museveni in implementation of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, which gives universities wide ranging autonomy in their management.
He said the quality of education must be addressed.
He said the Universal Primary Education had increased access to formal education and the bulge of students intake must be comprehensively planned for.
On his vision for Makerere, he said, “I need your views so that we may work out this vision in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
“We want a university that produces the best and relevant academic products which are responsive to national, regional and international manpower needs. The products include students and research out-puts.â€
Praising God, thanking all the people he worked with over the years, he pledged to promote the image of Makerere and “to perform diligently other roles assigned to the chancellor by the Act.â€
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi yesterday made history. He became the first non-head of state Ugandan to become Makerere University chancellor. He also became the first chancellor to be welcomed with protests.
He warned that the prestigious 81-year-old university must modernise.
Vice-President Prof. Gilbert Bukenya installed Nsibambi at a colourful ceremony.
Bukenya symbolically dressed Nsibambi with the chancellor’s red-and-black gown and matching headgear at the main hall.
He also handed Nsibambi the key to his office and mace, a symbol of authority over the Ivory Tower.
President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech read by Bukenya, hailed the University Council for recommending Nsibambi for the post. He said Nsibambi was the right choice owing to his high integrity and a sound academic background.
Museveni said Nsibambi would live to their expectation.
The ceremony was attended by Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi, the First and second deputy prime ministers Henry Kajura and Lt General Moses Ali and finance minister Gerald Sendaula.
Also in attendance was South African High Commissioner Bavumile Vilakazi and Rwanda’s envoy Christine Umtoni, besides a host of over 50 professors from different universities in Uganda.
Nsibambi, who has worked at East Africa’s oldest institution for decades, said Makerere faced global and local challenges that include the increased demand for higher education that is not matched by adequate resources.
Nsibambi took over the coveted post from Museveni in implementation of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001, which gives universities wide ranging autonomy in their management.
He said the quality of education must be addressed.
He said the Universal Primary Education had increased access to formal education and the bulge of students intake must be comprehensively planned for.
On his vision for Makerere, he said, “I need your views so that we may work out this vision in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
“We want a university that produces the best and relevant academic products which are responsive to national, regional and international manpower needs. The products include students and research out-puts.â€
Praising God, thanking all the people he worked with over the years, he pledged to promote the image of Makerere and “to perform diligently other roles assigned to the chancellor by the Act.â€