Kabale University has held a memorable ceremony to honour its outgoing Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera.
Prof. Kagonyera was appointed by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as Chancellor in 2016, a year after Kabale University was taken over by the government and converted into a public university. His four-year term was renewed in 2021 and officially concluded on April 28, 2025.
During a ceremony held yesterday at White Horse Inn in Kabale, student leaders and staff members praised Prof. Kagonyera as a committed leader who genuinely cared about the institution. They commended him for presiding over numerous successful graduation ceremonies and for his consistent involvement in addressing challenges faced by the university.
University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, remarked that Prof. Kagonyera’s tenure was marked by accessibility, collaboration, and open communication—qualities that fostered unity and teamwork among the university leadership.
“It was never hard to work with him. He kept us united and strong, so we’ll surely miss his leadership,” Prof. Kwesiga said.
CUE IN… PROF. KWESIGA ON KAGONYERA
In his farewell address, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera expressed gratitude for the support he received from the university administration throughout his tenure.
“It is indeed an honour to bow out of office when people still love and appreciate you,” he said.
Prof. Kagonyera shared that the key to his effective leadership lay in understanding the needs of those he served, listening to their perspectives, and operating within the framework of the law.
CUE IN… PROF. KAGONYERA
He urged his successor and the university management to prioritize the teaching of soft skills to students and to continue improving the university’s infrastructure to create a conducive learning environment.
As part of the ceremony, Prof. Kagonyera was presented with an Award of Honour and a large portrait of himself, painted by a lecturer from the Department of Fine Art.
This website has also learned that the University Council and Senate have already submitted recommendations for appointment of the next Chancellor and are now awaiting the President’s approval and final communication.
At the event the V.C Prof. Joy Kwesiga who has been in office since 2002, enabling the University to obtain Charter in 2005 and Public institution status in 2015, was given an award of honor for her outstanding performance and contribution to the growth and development of the University.
Other notable recognitions included Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba— member of the Kabale University Council and now Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda—and Benjamin Turyahikayo, former Principal of the National Teachers College (NTC) Kabale and founding member of the Kabale University Council from 2002 to 2014. Mr. Turyahikayo also served as member of the University Senate up to April 2025.
Both Prof. Nuwagaba and Mr. Turyahikayo were awarded in absentia. Their awards were presented by University Council Chairperson Addison Kakuru, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Elizabeth Madraa.