By Joachim Twino
Prof Ddumba-Sentamu was until late last year the Vice Chancellor Makerere University and sources close to him say, his original plan was to become a distinguished researcher under one of the lucrative projects at Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR). Reliable sources say on being replaced by Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, Prof Ddumba couldn’t actualize this MISR plan B because the man calling shots there is Mahmoud Mamdani with whom he had already bitterly fallen out. Ddumba, who is also the non-executive Board chairman for Centenary Bank, then reluctantly returned to College of Business & Management Sciences (CoBaMs) which he previously headed as Principal. However, before he could even settle in at CoBaMs the Masaka born Professor (reputed to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth) got two very lucrative job offers. One was from the well-managed University of Kisubi (UniK) which is owned by Brothers of Christian Instruction with very strong affiliation to the Catholic Church. The Brothers have a long reputation when it comes to educational excellence including running St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK). The offer, that will be entitling Ddumba to a good salary and many other benefits, will be ready in one year’s time whereby Ddumba will immediately replace Prof John Sebuwufu who is the outgoing Vice Chancellor. Like Ddumba, Sebuwufu was a former Makerere Vice Chancellor and is a devout Catholic and Muganda educationist as well. Sebuwufu, a Chemist, is also currently the Chancellor for Kyambogo University. As he waited for the Sebuwufu tenure to end at the rapidly developing UniK, the very down to earth Ddumba was begged by the Buganda government to accept to temporarily serve as the Vice Chancellor for Kabaka’s Mutesa1 Royal University where he was already serving as Council member and chairman for the Finance committee. Ddumba reluctantly accepted and as we talk, he has started work as the Chief Executive Officer for Kabaka’s University. But unfortunately for Mengo, his tenure will be short-lived because more organized, better paying and more promising UniK (which started originally as part of UMU Nkozi) will be the economic professor’s next destination. Mengo officials are optimistic that Ddumba can use his one year tenure at the helm to work out staffing to the levels National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) desires to see before they can be granted a Charter. For comments, call/text/whatsapp us on 0703164755.
