Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa commended former Kabale University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Constance Kwesiga, for her 21-year tenure in transforming the institution into a center of higher education in Uganda.
Speaking at a farewell ceremony held at the university's main campus on Kikungiri Hill, Tayebwa stated that Prof. Kwesiga’s legacy expanded academic and leadership opportunities for people across the Kigezi sub-region and beyond.
“I am not here to celebrate your exit. I am here to celebrate a testimony, a record of service that opened doors for very many people, not only in Kigezi but beyond Kigezi,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa lauded Prof. Kwesiga for breaking barriers for women in institutional leadership, demonstrating that merit and excellence transcend gender.
He noted that Prof. Kwesiga chose to serve her home region at the prime of her career, foregoing administrative opportunities at Makerere University to steer the growth of Kabale University from its founding stages.
“You went out of the way for 21 years, at the prime of your time... You decided and said, ‘No, let me go and take a risk ahead of my people of Kigezi.’ So really, we cannot take that for granted,” Tayebwa remarked.
Tayebwa highlighted Kabale University’s trajectory as a benchmark model for higher education in Uganda, noting its history as the first community-owned university to transition into a public university. He added that this successful transition influenced government policies on expanding public universities to other sub-regions.
Addressing the university's future direction, Tayebwa challenged the academic leadership to align research and academic programs with regional socio-economic challenges, specifically pointing to poverty and malnutrition in Kigezi.
“Poverty levels are going up. Why? Where is the problem? You as Kabale University, can you do for us a study and guide us? That’s how you show your relevance,” Tayebwa urged.
He encouraged the institution to deepen its focus on medicine, sciences, and applied research to guide local development and policy.
Born in 1943 in present-day Rukiga District, Prof. Kwesiga's career in higher education spans over five decades. After earning her undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of East Africa (Makerere), she obtained a master's degree in Higher Education and a PhD in Education and Gender Issues from the University of London.
Before assuming leadership at Kabale University in 2005, she served in senior positions at Makerere University, including Head of the Department of Women and Gender Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. During her 21 years at Kabale University, student enrollment grew from an initial intake of 42 students to over 5,000, with more than 17,000 graduates.
Following her retirement, the University Council appointed Prof. Johnny Mugisha, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, to serve as Acting Vice Chancellor.
