List of University Vice Chancellors in Uganda

Campus times Uganda brings you the list of university Vice Chancellors in Uganda who have led their institutions in shaping the country’s higher education landscape. Their leadership has driven progress in research, innovation, and social development.

This list highlights the notable Vice Chancellors making significant contributions to Uganda’s education sector.

Prof Openjuru George Ladaah – Gulu University

Prof Openjuru George Ladaah does research in Higher Education, Educational Theory and Adult Education. His current project is ‘KNOWLEDGE FOR CHANGE, LIFELONG LEARNING, YOUTH AND WORK’ TRANSFORMING EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN EAST AFRICA. He has been in Academic Leadership Makerere University Department of Community Education and Extra–Mura Studies which saw him climb many ladders up to now.

Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi – Uganda Christian University

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the International Institute for the Advanced Study of Cultures, Institutions and Economic Enterprise (IIAS) in Accra and at the University of Ghana. The Fellowship was funded by the African Humanities Program (AHP) of the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), USA.

Prof Barnabas Nawangwe – Makerere University

Barnabas Nawangwe, is a Ugandan architect, academic and the current vice chancellor of Makerere University, the largest public university in Uganda. He served his first five-year term from 2017 until August 2022. On 12 August 2022, the Makerere University Council re-appointed him for a second term of five years.

Prof. Celestino Obua – Mbarara University

Celestino Obua is a Ugandan physician, pharmacologist, academic and academic administrator. He is the current Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology. He assumed that position on Friday, 24 October 2014. Prior to that, he served as the Deputy Principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa – Uganda Martyrs University

Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa is a professor of Surgery, a seasoned University leader, healthcare provider and researcher. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in the leadership of innovation and Change from York St. John University in England; a master of Public Health (MPH) from the Nuffield Center for International Health and Development, University of Leeds Uk; a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy of the United Kingdom and a founding Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSESCA).

Rev. Canon Prof. Olivia Nassaka Banja – Ndejje University

 She is a Clergy woman in the Church of Uganda, where she has served for 29 years. She is married to Rev. Canon Moses Banja and is a mother of three children. She is an Associate professor of African Christianity and is Vice Chancellor of Ndejje University (1st January 2023).

Prof. Elly Katunguka-Rwakishaya – Kyambogo University

Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya is a Ugandan veterinarian, academic and academic administrator. He was appointed to that position in February 2014. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Postgraduate studies at Makerere University, the oldest and largest public university in the country.

Dr. Israel Kafeero – Bugema University

Kafeero has a bachelor’s degree in theology from the same university, a Master’s in divinity and a PhD in religious studies from US-based Andrews University

2009-2010: Lecturer at Bugema University

2011-2014: Uganda Union Youth and Chaplaincy Director

Elected as the Executive Secretary of Uganda Union of Seventh-day Adventists.

2019: Appointed head of the department of applied theology at the Adventist University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya

Prof Paul Waako – Busitema University

Prof. Waako served as the Founder and Dean of Busitema University Faculty of Health sciences. This position involved establishing the Faculty of Health Sciences which included Curriculum development, Resource mobilization, Advocacy with internal and external stakeholders, and Academic, Financial, and General administration of the Faculty.

Prof. John F. Mugisha – Cavendish University

He was formerly DVC in charge of Academics at the same University and earlier a Dean of Health Sciences Faculty at Uganda Martyrs University. Prof. Mugisha’s current projects include: -Developing Cavendish Journal for Social Science and Management (CJSSM) -Delivering an Advanced Certificate in Teaching and Learning for University Professors and Lecturers -Developing case studies for use in Teaching and Learning in Universities -Developing employability strategy for young graduates leaving universities.

Dr Emeka Akaezuwa – International University of East Africa

Dr Emeka Akaezuwa holds a PhD in Information Systems and Structures from Rutgers University USA. His ideas on Pan-Africanism are unmatched. Dr Emekas thought leadership has seen IUEA sour to great heights. He has been at the forefront of Building solid partnerships with stakeholders as well as championing Uganda’s greatest innovations.

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Prof.Emeritus Badru Kateregga – Kampala University

Amb. Al haji. Prof Emeritus Badru Dungu Kateregga is a man who wears many hats. Among them are the following: he is Owekitibwa (member of the great Lukiiko of Buganda Kingdom): a former Ambassador of Uganda of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, Iraq and Palestine. He is one of a few Ugandans upon whom the title of National Hero has been bestowed (the Nalubaale medal of Service in honour of his contribution to the liberation struggle in Uganda).

Charity Basaza Mulenga – St Augustine International University

Is a Ugandan electrical engineer and academic administrator. She was the founding vice-chancellor (2011 to 2016) of St. Augustine International University (SAIU), a private institution of higher education that the Uganda National Council for Higher Education accredited in 2011.

Prof. Lawrence Muganga – Victoria University

Ugandan-born Canadian researcher, academic administrator and award-winning author of several books that have been ranked by Amazon as bestsellers around the world. The author of both “You Can’t Make Fish Climb Trees” and “Transform”. Also happens to be the first Education Scholar to research and introduce Authentic Learning Education in Uganda, with an emphasis on Real-World Learning for all levels of education.

Prof. Jude T. Lubega – Nkumba University

Jude Lubega is a Professor of Information Technology who has vast experience in ICT4D. He previously served at Makerere University from 2007 to 2012 as the Deputy Dean and the Head of the Information Technology Department in the College of Computing and Information Sciences. He also served as the deputy Vice chancellor for Uganda Technology and Management University – UTAMU from 2013 to 2019. He has been the Chief Executive Officer for 8Tech Consults one of the leading ICT consulting companies in Uganda. He was listed among the 100 Movers and Shakers in Corporate Online Learning for 2018 in Africa.

Dr Mouhammad Mpezamihingo – Kampala International University

He is the Chair of the Senate at Kampala International University. Prior to that, he served for 10 years as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science, Departments of Biological Sciences and Environmental Sciences Master of Science Postgraduate Programmes at the Islamic University in Uganda (East Africa).

Prof. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda – Islamic University in Uganda

He joined as an Assistant Professor in the Graduate Teacher Program at Tift College of Education, Mercer University, Atlanta Campus, where he taught from 2001 to 2016. On February 10, 2016, he returned to IUIU as Vice Rector, Academic Affairs. His research interests include Culture and Schooling, Integration of Knowledge, Muslims of Uganda, Muslim Education, Muslim Institutes of Higher Education, and Contemporary Issues in Education.

Prof. Rose Clarke Nanyonga – Clarke International University

Since taking office in 2015, Prof. Rose Clarke has focused her leadership on enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, individual excellence, and community engagement. These three overarching themes created the backbone of the vision 2022, the university’s strategic vision through 2022.

Prof Joy Constance Kwesiga – Kabale University

She is the first female Vice Chancellor in Uganda. She is an experienced academician, University Administrator, Social Development Analyst and a renowned gender and Women advocate and mentor. She has been a Professor of Gender Studies and the Vice Chancellor of Kabale University since November 2005 to date. She oversaw the transformation of Kabale University from a private community University to a Public University (since 2015).

Now you are up to date with the above-mentioned Vice-chancellors.