Former Defence minister Kiyonga is new Makerere Chancellor

The University Council had recommended William Bazeyo for the position amid protests from the Joint Staff Association and a section of the university alumni

MAKERERE | President Museveni has appointed Crispus Kiyonga as the new Chancellor of Makerere University, ending eight months of vacuum in the institution's top-most leadership position.

Dr Kiyonya, a Makerere University medical graduate, replaces Dr Ezra Suruma, whose second four-year term as the titular head of Uganda's premier institution of higher learning ended in December.

In a message to staff, Makerere Vice-Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe said the Council Chairperson and the Vice Chancellor were "pleased to inform you that His Excellency the President has appointed Dr Crispus Kiyonga as the new Chancellor of Makerere University".

He said further details regarding the installation ceremony will be shared in due course.

"We extend our warm congratulations to Dr Kiyonga on this prestigious appointment and appreciate the Council's role in the selection process."

Former Defence minister Kiyonga might come off as a political appointee but Makerere academics will be pleased to have him than the choice the University Council had made.

In March, this publication broke the story of Makerere interviewing William Bazeyo for the Chancellor position despite his stained mortarboard.

Mr Bazeyo had been forced to step down from his position as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Finance and Administration when his academic qualification was exposed and confirmed by the National Council for Higher Education as fake.

When the University Council recommended Mr Bazeyo to the President is the Visitor for appointment as Chancellor, the university's Joint Staff Association protested.

In  an April 15 letter, they told the President: "We are requesting that you give Makerere University a Chancellor that is not academically stained and befits Makerere's image and legacy."

Some former alumni also wrote an Open Letter to President Museveni protesting the recommendation of Mr Bazeyo, whom the consider had considered ahead of its former chair Eng Dr Charles Wana-Etyem.

Other top academics such as Dr Victoria Sekitoleko, a former Agriculture minister and distinguished development agency leader, and Prof Jack Pen-Mogi Nyeko, former vice chancellor of Gulu University, had also been dropped by the Search Committee.

However, Mr Museveni must have heard the protestations and decided to getting the middle ground. As a political kingpin who moves his chess pieces after carefully thought, the Bazeyo recommendation controversy gave Mr Museveni the perfect chance.

The President is the Visitor to public institutions of higher learning. He is mandated by Article 30 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act to appoint the Chancellor upon the recommendation of the Council.

Dr Kiyonga, a former Ugandan Ambassador to China (2017-2021), is renowned for his diplomatic and leadership skills.

He expressed his commitment to working with all stakeholders to advance the university's mission.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining Makerere's legacy while ensuring it remains a beacon of knowledge and progress in Africa.

A chancellor is the titular head of a university who presides over at all ceremonial assemblies of the institution and confers degrees and other academic titles and distinctions.

During the 74th graduation ceremonies, Prof Nawangwe took on the responsibilities of the Chancellor.