There are recent major events at Mbarara University of Science and Technology as Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika is appointed the new University Vice Chancellor. The process seals a long-whipped-up search by the Vice Chancellor Search Committee, VCSC, instituted back in January 2024.
Prof. Byakika-Kibwika, a distinguished leader in public health and higher education, was ranked first in a position for which five competitors appeared on the shortlist. Her score was the best overall by the committee, at 84.3%. She was ahead of the others, the closest candidates being Dr. Joel Bazira (81.8%), Prof. Amon Agaba Ganafa (80.7%), Dr. Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire (75.3%), and Dr. Lynnette T. Kyokunda (72.2%).
Advertised Search Committee and Search Process
The VCSC had been appointed under Sections 31(1) and 31(2) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001 (as amended), and Section 9.2 of the MUST Council Charter (2021), to identify and recommend for appointment to the University Council, the best-suited candidate for the position of Vice Chancellor. To be sure and fully discharged its oversight and due diligence mandate, the committee invited to its sittings, Inter alia, and courteously, all available members listed under the CVs of candidates, including University Council members Dr. Stevens Kisaka and Dr. Dorothy Okello, Dr. Evarist Nabaasa, and Prof. Musoke herself. The Secretary to the Committee was the Academic Registrar, Dr. Martha Kyoshaba Twinamasiko.
The search process was segmented into numerous stages, from the designing of operational documents to the broadcasting of the position, discouraging scrupulous individuals, running due diligence, and making final assessments by holding interviews and public presentations. A total of eleven candidates showed interest in this position before the shortlist was formed, including only five of them to actually proceed further in terms of the qualifications and meeting of the set criteria. The evaluation process was segmented into shortlisting (30%) followed by interviews (50%) and public presentations (20%).
Candidate Profiles
- Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika: A practiced academic with wide experience in public health and leadership in higher education. Published Prof. Byakika-Kibwika has made a notable contribution to issues of policy formulation and development of institutions.
- Dr. Joel Bazira: Currently an Associate Professor in microbiology and clinical research. He has mature interdisciplinarity collaboration expertise and administrative experience.
- Prof. Amon Agaba Ganafa: An experienced lecturer and researcher in engineering and technology. Prof. Ganafa has designed and helped in creating numerous innovative educational programs and offers a demonstrated success in academic management. Presently, he is retired as Permanent Secretary Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovations and administratively managed Faculty of Technology, Makerere University as Dean.
- Dr. Juliet Mwanga-Amumpaire: An Associate Professor knowledgeable in medical research and public health. Dr. Mwanga.
- Dr. Lynnette T. Kyokunda: With a background in educational leadership and curriculum development, Dr. Kyokunda has known nothing else but to push for increased educational standards and enhancing the quality of teachers through her work.
Appointment and Transition
The top contenders for the position were presented to the Chancellor as follows: Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, Dr. Joel Bazira, and Prof. Amon Agaba Ganafa. The Chancellor recommended Prof. Byakika-Kibwika as the best contender. His appointment was confirmed on Friday, August 2, 2024. Prof. Byakika-Kibwika takes up her new position in the place of Prof. Obua Celestino, who has taken a statutory term limit as Vice Chancellor.
The appointment marks new administration and academic leadership for MUST, under the headship of Prof. Byakika-Kibwika.
