Acceptance Speech of Chairperson of the 5th Kyambogo University Council during the Handover held on Friday 6th May 2022 at Hotel Africana

KYAMBOGO UNIVERSITY

Speech Delivered at the Handover Ceremony of the 4^th Council to the 5^th Council

On 6TH MAY 2022 AT HOTEL AFRICANA, KAMPALA

 By: Mary Goretti Nakabugo, PhD Chairperson, 5^th Council 

• The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports (represented by the Hon. Minister of State for Primary Education, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu)
• The outgoing and incoming Chancellor
• members of the outgoing 4th and incoming 5th University Council,
• Religious Leaders
• The Vice Chancellor, Deputy Vice Chancellors, and members of Management of Kyambogo University
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

It is an honour for me to join you all here today during this handover ceremony. Let me start by wishing everyone present here a happy, prosperous, and productive continuation of the year ahead.

Your Excellency, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, we thank you for all of your efforts during the past unprecedented two years to help our great country and our education institutions remain focused on the safety and continuity of learning of our children and students. I particularly appreciate the work you have done to help expand  Kyambogo university’s mandate, one of which has been implementing every plan and measure needed to keep our students and staff safe.

I would also like to take this opportunity to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the outgoing Chancellor, the in-coming Chancellor, members of the outgoing 4th University Council, the Vice-Chairperson and members of the new 5th University Council, the Vice Chancellor and Senior Management.

I am honoured to have been selected as Chairperson of the 5th Kyambogo University Council and to be working with Senior Counsel Sarah Babirye Lubega, who is fulfilling the pivotal role of Vice-Chairperson as we work together with our team in moving forward during these times of uncertainty.

But, let me first take a moment to shine a light on the achievements of the brave men and women of the outgoing 4th Council under the exceptional leadership of Prof John Yakobo Okedi, who I have had the honour and privilege to serve as Vice Chairperson. These past two years have not been easy for any of us. The worldwide pandemic has truly changed us and the world we live in forever, but I would like to say that the incredible bravery, passion, and commitment that you showed during those difficult days inspired us as the new Council to do our best

– to give our best for the good of our institution. In addition, the massive infrastructural development and the culture of peace and harmony we enjoy in this university today, are just a few, among many highlights of the fruits of your strategic leadership. To all of you members of the outgoing 4th University Council, I would like to say thank you and congratulations on serving the university so dedicatedly.

To the members of the incoming 5th  Kyambogo  University  Council,  I have no doubt that you also bring your exceptional talent to the table every day. I have already had the privilege of working with you all and knowing you. Each of you brings relevant expertise and experience to the 5th Council, which will be the foundation upon which we move towards a great future for our institution. [If time permits, introduce the Hon. members of the 5th Council in Annex I for recognition] 

But it is through strengthening our engagement and  further collaboration, that the new council that we are privileged to lead can also contribute to a more unified implementation of the university’s mandate while addressing any outstanding and emerging challenges. I look forward to continue working with this incredible team as we engage in a broad-based dialogue on the policy issues that affect our developmental efforts.

I have always been a firm believer that engagement, collaboration and transparency are critical to our success. So, I really look forward to the continuous and meaningful engagement with every member of this new Council over the remaining years of our term of office and I wish you all the best.

As the new Council, it is a great honour and opportunity to have the privilege to serve Kyambogo University and its community of students, staff, members of the alumni community, and the very many supporters and friends of the University. But with great honour and opportunity also comes great responsibility.

Being a new Council, we have the responsibility to build on the successes of our predecessors and also to start afresh to further the values that Kyambogo University represents1. We also have the responsibility to advance the University’s Strategic Focus Areas of, i) Teaching and Training; ii) Research, Innovation and Knowledge generation; iii) Physical Infrastructure, Facilities and ICT Development;

1. iv) Institutional Capacity Development; and v) Community engagement, Strategic Marketing and Resource

Most of all, we should appreciate that Kyambogo University has thrived because of the boldness of its mission and vision (to be a Centre of Academic and Professional Excellence). So, let us take this opportunity here today to restate our commitment to this mission and vision – to support the leadership and management, the students, and supporters of this great institution in achieving this vision.

In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of our very generous funders, especially the Government of Uganda, who continues to support our initiatives for the betterment of the institution. The minister of Education and Sports, as well as the Vice-Chancellor and Senior Management, for their help and support through these unprecedented times.

As the new Chairperson of the incoming 5th University Council, I remain committed to the cause of taking our institution into the future and helping it grow into one of the finest universities in the world.

In my role as the new Chairperson of the 5th Council, I can’t say enough how gratified and honoured I am to be part of the team leading one of Uganda’s finest universities. It is a privilege that I take on with a sense of great pride, responsibility, and commitment as we tackle the challenges that lie ahead with much more enthusiasm and vigour. As your new Chairperson, I promise to remain dedicated, respectful, and impartial to each member of our great institution unconditionally.

I look forward to taking this journey with you as we continue to advance the mission and vision of this prestigious University.

As always, I remain your humble servant, For God and My Country.

Thank you!

quality, equity, integrity and professionalism