Kampala, Uganda – Makerere University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, has officially responded to growing speculation about his academic qualifications and research credentials.
In a strongly worded statement released on February 9, 2025, Prof. Nawangwe refuted allegations circulating on social media, labeling them as a deliberate attempt to discredit his leadership and intimidate him into abandoning his mission of transforming Africa’s premier university.
The allegations, reportedly fueled by social media commentators and political activists, claimed that Prof. Nawangwe did not meet the requirements for appointment as a Professor at Makerere University and did not have the mandatory ten publications for his selection as Vice-Chancellor.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor categorically denied these claims and provided a detailed account of his academic journey, research contributions, and professional qualifications.
Prof. Nawangwe outlined his academic trajectory, which began with exceptional performance in national exams.
He was Uganda’s top student in the Primary Leaving Examinations (1969) and again excelled in his East African Certificate of Education (1973) at Busoga College Mwiri.
Despite self-tutoring, he passed his Advanced Level exams in 1975 and was admitted to Makerere University for Civil Engineering.
However, due to political instability, he transferred to the Kiev Institute of Civil Engineering in the former Soviet Union, where he earned a Master of Science in Architecture, graduating with distinction and topping his class in 1983. He later obtained a PhD in Architecture from the same institution in 1989.
Responding to claims that he lacked sufficient academic publications, Prof. Nawangwe stated that Makerere University had never made the publication of two books a mandatory requirement for promotion to the rank of Professor.
Instead, he submitted five peer-reviewed publications, which were vetted by an external professor of architecture, leading to his promotion to Professor.
On his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, he revealed that he submitted 14 peer-reviewed publications—far exceeding the university’s requirement of 10. He further emphasized that he met all other necessary qualifications for the position.
To put the matter to rest, he pledged to make his certified academic certificates and a list of his publications public. Among his notable contributions are five chapters in the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World, published by Cambridge University Press.
Taking to his social media account “X” formerly Twitter, Prof. Nawangwe dismissed his critics as “street preachers and foreign-funded agents,” accusing them of seeking to derail his efforts to eliminate hooliganism at Makerere University.
He reaffirmed his commitment to steering Makerere towards global excellence in research and professional management.
Quoting the Bible verse John 8:32, “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” he expressed confidence that the evidence he provided would silence his detractors.
Prof. Nawangwe’s detailed statement underscores his determination to defend his reputation and leadership at Makerere University.
As the debate rages on, his decision to publicly share his credentials and research contributions may serve to reinforce his legitimacy and reaffirm his vision for the university.
