What Prof Mondo Kagonyera said about Makerere University

The outgoing Makerere University Chancellor, Prof Mondo Kagonyera, has asked the government to review the role of a university chancellor to enable them influence decisions taken in their respective institutions.

He argued that owing to the country’s history, the head of state was hitherto the chancellor, who had executive powers to ensure things were done which is not the case currently. This, he said, has since affected the performance of those ordinary citizens who have in the past been appointed to take over the country’s oldest university’s leadership without a legal backing.

“My successor should ask the government to review the role of a university chancellor. Does he remain just a titular head?” Prof Kagonyera asked.

“It used to be the President who didn’t need any extra power to influence what happens at the university. But when the chancellor is an ordinary citizen, it is not fair that he should just be a titular head who may not be listened to because anything that he is allowed to comment or act on is by the grace of the university. Anything without legal backing is very difficult to deal with.”

The outspoken Professor said while he enjoyed his eight years at the helm of the university, some students’ insubordination and the institution’s under funding, are some of the perennial problems that await the incoming boss to sort out.

“I must commend Makerere that despite challenges, they have maintained high academic standards. Whoever is taking over is going to be a chancellor of a prestigious university but you will be heading an institution with perennial problems,” he said.

“I have always spoken my mind and I don’t entertain frustrations. I am afraid to say that up to the time of my departure, this indiscipline is still prevalent among public universities and it has to be dealt with squarely. One of the problems we have had is indecisive dealing with wrongdoing.”
The academic staff chairman, Mr Muhammed Kiggundu, yesterday commended Prof Kagonyera for his elderly counsel to both the students and lecturers.

“We describe him as a darling. He knew how to handle staff and students with an elderly hand. We will miss him,” Mr Kiggundu said.

Prof Kagonyera’s term officially expired on Thursday as the university council waits for President Museveni, in his capacity as a Visitor, to appoint from the top names they submitted for chancellorship. Former finance minister, Prof Ezra Suruma, topped the list of the contenders and was followed by Prof AB Kasozi.

Prof Kagonyera was the second non-head of state chancellor after Prof Apolo Nsibambi. As a titular head of the university, the chancellor presides over official functions of the university and is only facilitated while on official duty.