KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Professor Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya as the new Chairperson of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
“In exercise of the power conferred to me upon me, by section 7 (2) of the universities and Other Tertiary Institution Act 2001 as amended, I Yoweri Museveni do hereby appoint Prof. Eli Katunguka Rwakishaya chairperson of National Council for Higher Education,” reads a statement signed by Mr. Museveni.
Prof. Katunguka will be at the helm of the education body for five years from the date of assumption of the duty, according to Mr. Museveni’s letter.
The Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor will head the Council consisting of eighteen eminent persons for the next five years effective March 22, 2019, the date of appointment.
He replaces Prof. Pen Mogi, former Vice Chancellor of Gulu University who also took over from Prof. Fred Kayanja, former Vice Chancellor of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Prof Katunguka’s new appointment means that he will steer NCHE in developing policies and guidelines that regulate higher education in Uganda.
Majority of the NCHE members are representatives of various social constituencies including public and private universities, religious organizations, commerce, industry, agriculture, the general public, the Ministry of Education and people with disabilities.
The Council members are appointed under Section 7 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, 2001 including the appointment by President, and the Vice Chairperson elected by the Council members.
It also comprises of two representatives of Vice-Chancellors of public and private Universities, two Senates Representative Private and public Universities, four representatives of religious non-degree awarding institutions appointed by the minister of Education and three Representatives from Commerce, industry and Agricultural Sector.
Other four members of other sectors of higher education, one representative of the public elected by the Council, one representative of people with disabilities, an officer in charge of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, two Representatives of Students from Tertiary and Universities plus the NCHE’s Executive Director.