Dr Suruma installed Makerere chancellor

Former finance minister Ezra Suruma who was recently appointed Makerere University’s next chancellor has started work. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

Former finance minister Ezra Suruma who was recently appointed Makerere University’s next chancellor has started work.
Last year, Makerere University Council recommended that Mr Suruma be appointed the institution’s next chancellor after he beat three other contenders to the position.

This followed recommendation by the search committee instituted in August last year to find a successor of Prof Mondo Kagonyera, whose second four-year term expired on October 23, last year.
Dr Suruma topped the list of the contenders with 83 per cent, followed by the former executive director National Council for Higher Education, Prof AB Kasozi, with 70 per cent, former Uganda Martyr’s University vice chancellor Charles Olweny and former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki. The names had been submitted by the public.

WHO IS SURUMA

Born in Kabale District in 1945, Ezra Suruma holds the degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Finance, from Fordham University, in New York City, obtained in 1969. He also holds degree of Master of Arts (MA) in Economics obtained in 1972, also from Fordham University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics obtained in 1976, from the University of Connecticut. He also has a master's degree in Computer Science and one in International Banking.

Prior to his government and private sector work, Dr. Suruma worked as a Professor of Economics & Management at Makerere University and at Florida A&M University. In 1987, he joined the Bank of Uganda, the country's Central Bank, as the Director of Research, serving in that capacity until 1990. From 1990 until 1993, he served as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Uganda. In 1993 he left the Bank of Uganda and joined Uganda Commercial Bank (UCB) as the Chairman and Managing Director, serving in that capacity until 1996.

In 2005, he was appointed Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. He served in that capacity until 16 February 2009, when he was appointed Senior Presidential Adviser on Finance & Economic Planning. The international banking magazine, "The Banker," chose Dr. Suruma to receive the "Best Finance Minister of Africa Award," for 2008. During his time as Minister of Finance he was a strong promoter of Uganda's banking industry and was instrumental in the planning and initiation of Uganda's Micro Finance project which helps small farmers and businesses obtain low interest loans. While a cabinet minister, he served as an Ex-officio Member of Parliament, on account of his cabinet appointment