President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni today lauded Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, the newly installed Chancellor of Makerere University, as an outstanding cadre and leader within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Museveni made these remarks during the installation ceremony of Makerere’s 8th Chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga, and the commissioning of the university’s iconic main building, also known as the Ivory Tower, which was devastated by fire on September 20, 2020.
“Dr. Kiyonga is a member of the Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and he has been actively involved in our efforts since 1980,” Museveni stated.
Commenting on the refurbishment of the Ivory Tower, Museveni emphasized that his primary concern following the fire was the safety of student records, rather than the loss of the building itself. “We can always build a new structure, and we have now achieved that,” he said.
Dr. Kiyonga, an alumnus of Makerere University, earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1978. He later pursued a Master of Health Science (MHS) with a specialization in Population Dynamics from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. His new role as Chancellor marks a significant moment in his career, as he becomes the fourth non-Head-of-State Chancellor of Uganda’s premier university. His predecessors include Rt. Hon. Professor Apolo Robin Nsibambi, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, and Prof. Ezra Suruma.
Before the tradition of appointing non-head-of-state Chancellors, Makerere University was led by prominent political figures. These included H.E. Apollo Milton Obote (1970–1971, and 1981–1985), H.E. Idi Amin Dada (1971–1979), and H.E. Yoweri Museveni, who served as Chancellor from 1986 until 2001 when the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act came into effect.
Dr. Kiyonga’s extensive public service career includes key positions such as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the President and National Political Commissar (2001–2006), Minister of Health (1996–2001), Minister of Internal Affairs (1994–1996), Minister of Finance (1986–1992), Minister of Defense (2006–2016), and Uganda’s Ambassador to China (2017–2020).
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Kiyonga expressed gratitude to President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports, for his appointment. He pledged to engage with the university’s leadership to better understand the institution’s challenges and to foster stronger ties between the university community and the government.
“I will, in the coming days, work closely with the Vice Chancellor to gain deeper insights into the university’s issues and explore how we can collaborate in the broader context of transforming Africa and Uganda,” Dr. Kiyonga said. He also vowed to strengthen the connection between Makerere’s students and staff with the central government.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, thanked President Museveni for the UGX 50 billion provided for the university’s renovation projects. Of that amount, UGX 21 billion was used to restore the Ivory Tower, with the remainder allocated to the renovation of Lumumba Hall and the construction of the new School of Law building.
Hon. Janet Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports, congratulated Dr. Kiyonga on his appointment and praised Prof. Ezra Suruma for his exemplary service as the previous Chancellor. She also expressed gratitude for the successful refurbishment of key university structures.
According to Makerere University’s governance structure, the Chancellor serves as the ceremonial head of the institution, presiding over academic assemblies and conferring degrees and academic titles. Dr. Kiyonga’s appointment was made by President Museveni, based on the recommendation of the Makerere University Council, in August 2024.