By Mulengera Reporters
A Luo proverb says, “A tree is known by its fruit,” and if that is true, then the fruit of Prof. Mary Okwakol’s leadership at Busitema University speaks volumes.
From an idea on paper to a thriving institution, her tenure as Vice Chancellor shaped Busitema into one of Uganda’s most respected universities.
The journey of Busitema University began with a government directive to establish a public university in Eastern Uganda, as recommended by the Kajubi Education Review Commission in 1989.
The task of laying the foundation was entrusted to Prof. Okwakol in 2006, when she was appointed chairperson of the three-member Taskforce Management Committee. She faced the enormous challenge of setting up a new institution from scratch, with no infrastructure, no staff, and no students.
However, like a farmer who sows seeds in dry land with faith in the coming rain, she took on the responsibility with determination. Within months, Busitema University was accredited, and on October 3, 2007, it opened its gates to pioneer students.
With a clear vision and strategic leadership, Prof. Okwakol spearheaded the university’s rapid expansion. From a single campus at Busitema, the institution grew to six campuses, each specializing in a unique academic discipline.
Nagongera became the hub for science and education, Arapai focused on agriculture and animal sciences, Namasagali specialized in natural resources and environmental sciences, while Mbale became home to the prestigious Faculty of Health Sciences. Later, Pallisa was established as the center for management sciences.
Under her leadership, Busitema University embraced a multi-campus model that ensured specialized and high-quality education across different fields.
One of her greatest achievements was the introduction of academic programs that were not only relevant but also unique. She ensured that Busitema was not just another university offering traditional courses but an institution tailored to meet Uganda’s development needs.
Programs such as Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering, Mining Engineering, and Computer Forensics positioned Busitema as a leader in scientific and technological education. By the end of her tenure, the university had grown from offering just three programs in 2007 to over sixty, including master’s degrees.
Prof. Okwakol’s leadership also transformed research and innovation at the university. She encouraged staff and students to engage in groundbreaking studies, which resulted in numerous research projects winning local and international grants.
Through collaborations with institutions in Africa, Europe, and the United States, Busitema secured funding for various initiatives, including medical research, climate change studies, and agricultural technology. Under her stewardship, the university established the Busitema Open Access Institutional Repository to increase the visibility of research publications.
In recognition of these efforts, Busitema was ranked among Africa’s top 100 universities in 2012 and consistently gained national and international recognition.
Infrastructure development was another pillar of her tenure. She oversaw the construction of modern lecture halls, libraries, and laboratories, ensuring that students had access to a conducive learning environment. With funding from the African Development Bank, the university expanded its facilities, including a well-equipped library that was commissioned by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in 2017.
To improve student welfare, halls of residence were renovated, private hostels were regulated, and a guild bus was secured to facilitate student activities.
Despite facing financial challenges, Prof. Okwakol adopted innovative strategies to sustain the university’s operations. She championed resource diversification, encouraging the university to explore alternative funding sources beyond government sponsorships. This resulted in the establishment of the Busitema University Fund, which launched commercial projects such as farming and a motor service bay to generate income.
She also prioritized staff development, securing scholarships for lecturers to pursue master’s and PhDs, which improved the university’s academic capacity.
Under her guidance, student enrollment went up from just 151 in 2007 to over 3,600 by 2018. To promote gender equity, she introduced policies that increased the number of female students from 13% in 2007 to 31.7% in 2019. She also championed international student exchanges, giving Busitema a global outlook.
By the time of her departure, the university had graduated over 6,000 students, many of whom had gone on to excel in various fields.
Prof. Okwakol’s tenure was not without challenges. The university grappled with financial limitations, understaffing, and infrastructure gaps. However, she navigated these difficulties with resilience, ensuring that the institution remained on a steady path of growth.
She strengthened governance structures by establishing a performance evaluation system, making Busitema the first public university in Uganda to implement annual staff appraisals.
As she handed over the reins in 2019, she left behind an institution firmly rooted in academic excellence, innovation, and sustainable development. Busitema University’s transformation from a struggling start-up to a national academic giant is a testament to her visionary leadership.
An old proverb goes that [A river is filled drop by drop], and every effort Okwakol invested over the years turned Busitema into an institution that will continue shaping Uganda’s future for generations to come. To be continued! Watch out for part 2 of this story. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
