Professor Mamdani returns to Makerere

Kampala

Prof. Mahmood Mamdani has been appointed the new director of the Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR). A statement from Ms Rita Namisango, the acting public relations officer, yesterday said the appointment takes immediate effect.

The recruitment of the eminent scholar, who is currently a professor at Columbia University, New York, USA, brings to an end a process that started in December last year, the statement said. “Prof. Mamdani came out on top backed by his outstanding academic record as a scholar and having clearly stated his willingness to return to Makerere University and participate actively in championing research and innovations at the 88-year-old institution,” the statement added.

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Venansius Baryamureeba, said the quality of the human resources is key to turning around any institution. “With Prof. Mamdani at the helm of MISR, we can only expect a bright future for MISR and Makerere University in the area of social research and tremendous impact on socio-economic development,” he said.

Previously, Prof. Mamdani worked as Director of African Studies, Institute of African Studies, Columbia University (1999-2004); AC Jordan Professor and Director of Gender, Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town (1996-1999); Executive Director, Centre for Basic Research, Kampala (1991-1996); Senior Lecturer at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (1976-1979) and Lecturer at the same University (1973-1976); and Teaching Fellow at the Harvard University (1971-1972). He also earlier served Makerere as a don of Political Science between 1980 and 1993.

The officials said the appointment places Prof. Mamdani in a position to contribute to the realisation of the university’s vision, “to be a centre of academic excellence and innovations in Africa.” Over the years, MISR has attracted a large portfolio of research projects that have enabled the university to raise its academic profile.