The Chancellor of Kabale University, Prof. Mathew Rukikaire, has appointed Prof. Helen Musanabera Byamugisha as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration.
The University has been operating without a substantive Vice Chancellor for almost a year.The announcement was made through a press release issued by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Constance Kwesiga.“Associate Professor Byamugisha joins the University’s management with extensive administrative and institutional governance experience in higher education.
Kabale University will benefit from her counsel to ensure the achievement of its mission and vision,” the press release stated.Prof. Kwesiga further noted that the University is looking forward to the new Deputy Vice Chancellor’s contribution toward strengthening institutional efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.
Musanabera replaces Prof. Anny Katabazi Bwengye, who vacated the Deputy Vice Chancellor position approximately a year ago.In her speech at Kabale University’s annual dinner for law students on April 14, 2026, Prof. Kwesiga explained that the delay in appointing a Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration was due to the absence of a substantive Chancellor.
Prof. Mondo Kagonyera’s tenure as the first Chancellor of Kabale University since its transition into a public institution officially ended on April 28, 2025. He was succeeded by Canon Mathew Rukikaire, who was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni in October 2025, following Kagonyera’s nearly decade of leadership at the institution.
However, the official installation of Canon Rukikaire was delayed until early April 2026, which also impacted the filling of the Deputy Vice Chancellor’s office.According to information obtained from Kabale University’s official website, Assoc. Prof. Helen Musanabera Byamugisha is a distinguished academic and information science professional with extensive leadership experience in higher education management.
She holds a PhD in Information Science, a Master of Science in Information Science, a Postgraduate Diploma in Librarianship, a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation, and a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology.
Prof. Musanabera is a seasoned academic librarian and administrator, having served as the University Librarian of Makerere University from 2015 to 2023.
She was also an integral member of Makerere University’s top management structures, including the University Senate and various high-level committees.
Her governance experience extends to Kabale University, where she previously served as Vice Chairperson of the University Council from 2010 to 2015.Prof. Musanabera joins Kabale University’s eight-member top leadership, also known as “Officers of the University”.
According to the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act 2001 (as amended) in Uganda, the primary officers of a public university include the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, University Secretary, Academic Registrar, University Librarian, and University Bursar. These officers are responsible for the administration and academic management of the institution.
Appointment of a Deputy Vice Chancellor is a rigorous process, after which a search committee of the University Council recommends a name to the Chancellor for appointment.
Members of the University management are appointed for a tenure of five years. The Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellors are appointed by the Chancellor, who is also appointed by the Head of State, the President. URN