Makerere University on Friday, June 13, held the 2nd Frank Kalimuzo Memorial Lecture, celebrating the legacy of Uganda’s first indigenous Vice Chancellor and urging renewed focus on ethical leadership and public service across institutions.
Under the theme “Building a Culture of Service in Public Institutions,” the memorial drew senior government officials, academics, students, and the Kalimuzo family to reflect on the impact of Frank Kalimuzo’s life and his enduring influence on Uganda’s public sector leadership.
Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Principal, Prof. Moses Muhwezi, delivered the keynote address. He described Kalimuzo as a servant-leader whose actions were guided by integrity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility. “Frank Kalimuzo’s life teaches us that public service is a noble calling—one that requires humility, commitment, and resilience,” said Prof. Muhwezi. “Even in the face of opposition and political instability, he led with calm and clarity.”
Acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta praised Kalimuzo’s contribution to both Makerere and Uganda’s civil service. “He helped establish key pillars of Uganda’s administration. His approach to leadership—marked by humility and excellence—is what we must aim to instill in our graduates today,” Prof. Ireeta said.
Kalimuzo’s tenure as Vice Chancellor was brief but transformative. Appointed in 1970, he led efforts to Africanize Makerere University, introducing key programs like Bachelor of Commerce and Veterinary Medicine, and expanding facilities such as the main library and medical school. His disappearance in 1972 under Idi Amin’s regime remains a painful mystery for the family and the nation.
Esther Kalimuzo, the widow of the late Vice Chancellor, delivered a powerful personal tribute. “When Frank was taken, I was left with children full of questions I could not answer. They were raised on memory and principle,” she said. “Today, they stand proud as citizens of Uganda and the world, carrying forward the values their father lived by.”
She added that while the family never received official closure, her husband’s legacy lives on through the strength and success of their children.
Lorna Magara, Chairperson of the Makerere University Council, said the university’s current reforms are aligned with Kalimuzo’s legacy. “His values of integrity, innovation and service are at the heart of our strategic plan. His leadership remains a model for institutions across the continent,” she said.
She also emphasized the importance of institutionalizing ethical leadership across Africa’s public sector. “To renew our institutions, we must return to leaders who see service not as status, but as sacrifice,” Magara noted.
The event included contributions from education leaders like Dr. Grace Baguma of the National Curriculum Development Centre and Dr. Bruce Kirenga of Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences. Both called for a values-based education system that merges academic knowledge with ethics and life skills.
Allen Kagina, Chairperson of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council, moderated the discussions, which included moving testimonies about the Kalimuzo family’s resilience following his disappearance.
The event concluded with a surprise 90th birthday celebration for Esther Kalimuzo, who was surrounded by family, friends, and dignitaries in an emotional display of appreciation for her strength and legacy.
In 2022, Makerere named its Central Teaching Facility in honour of Frank Kalimuzo. The building stands as a lasting tribute to a man who helped shape Uganda’s academic and administrative landscape.