President Yoweri Museveni has today installed his longtime confidant Prof. Mondo Kagonyera as the First Chancellor of Kabale University at Kirigime hill, Kabale Municipality, almost six months after his appointment was approved.
Prof Kagonyera has officially appointed vice chancellors and other administrators as mandated by the law.
“Am ready to serve at Kabale University in a cool climate conducive for teaching and learning,” Prof Kagonyera said.
Kabale University Council chaired by former privatization Minister Mr Manzi Tumubwine early this year seconded Prof Kagonyera because of his wide knowledge in handling university matters.
He served as Chancellor Makerere University for eight years before being replaced by former finance minister Ezra Suruma.
The Kigezi based institution has been a hive of turbulence this year. Police last month fired teargas to contain students who had staged a strike over lack of lectures.
The students wanted the Academic registrar to explain why they have not had lectures since they reported for a new semester on September 15, 2016.
The strike came at a time when lecturers at the same university are protesting the failure by the administration to pay them salaries for the last 8 months.
The students also wanted to raid the office of the vice chancellor Professor Joy Kwesiga saying he is not fit to be in office.
The university was started in 2002 by a group of individuals including retired Justice Prof George Kanyeihamba, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, and director National Teachers College Mr Benjamin Turyahikayo.
Kabale District Local Government donated 52 acres of land and all the buildings housing the university. Prof. Kanyeihamba has been the chancellor of Kabale University since its inception. It was gazzeted a public university in 2015 on request of local leadership and founders.
