Makerere University, Uganda’s premier institution of higher learning, has a new chancellor. President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Dr. Crispus Kiyonga to replace Dr. Ezra Seruma, who has held the position for over a decade.
Dr Crispus Kiyonga
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The announcement was made by Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the university vice chancellor.
In a post on X, Nawangwe expressed his congratulations to Dr. Kiyonga and welcomed him to the university.
"His Excellency the President of Uganda has appointed Dr. Crispus Kiyonga as the new Chancellor of Makerere University. On behalf of Makerere University Council, I extend our warm congratulations to Dr. Kiyonga on this prestigious appointment and warmly welcome him to the service of Makerere University," Nawangwe said.
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As the chancellor, Dr. Kiyonga will preside over the institution’s graduation ceremonies. His maiden ceremony will be the January 2024 75th graduation ceremony.
Dr. Kiyonga is a product of Makerere University. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the university. He also holds a masters of health science in Population Dynamics from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
Biography
Dr. Crispus Kiyonga is a Ugandan politician and diplomat. He was born in 1949 in Kasese District, Uganda. He is a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
Dr. Kiyonga attended Nyakasura School and Makerere University. He obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from Makerere University in 1975. He later went on to study Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
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Dr. Kiyonga began his career as a medical doctor. He worked as a medical officer in various hospitals in Uganda. He later joined the Ugandan army and served as a medical officer in the Uganda People's Army (UPA).
In 1986, Dr. Kiyonga joined the NRM government. He served as the Minister of Health from 1986 to 1996. He was then appointed as the Ambassador of Uganda to the United States. He served in this position from 1996 to 2001.
Dr. Kiyonga returned to Uganda in 2001 and was appointed as the Minister of State for Internal Affairs. He served in this position until 2006, when he was appointed as the Minister of Defense. He served as the Minister of Defense until 2016.
In 2016, Dr. Kiyonga was appointed as the Ugandan Ambassador to China. He served in this position until 2023, when he was appointed as the Chancellor of Makerere University.
Dr. Kiyonga is married and has children. He is a fluent speaker of English and French.
