Gulu University gets new VC

Gulu University Chancellor Frederick Kayanja has appointed Professor George Openjuru as the institution’s vice chancellor.
Prof Openjuru will replace Prof Jack Nyeko Pen-Mogi who has led the institution since its inception in 2002.
Prof Openjuru, who has been the university’s first deputy vice chancellor since 2015, was formerly the Dean School of Distance and Lifelong Learning at Makerere University.
He was recommended by the university council in July after emerging the best among three candidates.

Addressing journalists in Gulu Town on Wednesday, Prof Openjuru pledged to steer the university to great heights.
“My responsibility will move from establishment to development; I will prioritise building permanent structures, which includes storied buildings. We also want to develop our e-learning,” he said.
Prof Openjuru assumes office at a time lecturers at the university are on strike, demanding Shs700 million in accumulated allowances. The strike prompted the university management to indefinitely suspend end of semester one examinations in December.

Prof Pen-Mogi offered to work closely with the incoming vice chancellor during the transitional period.
“Gulu University has not got some one new. He [Prof Openjuru] was my deputy, and he is well conversant with the management of the university. We expect him to steer the university well,” Prof Pen-Mogi said.
Prof Pen-Mogi is expected to hand over office tomorrow during the university’s 13th graduation ceremony.

Career
Prof Openjuru holds a PhD in Education, specialising in adult literacy education. He has been the deputy vice chancellor in-charge of academic affairs at Gulu University. He previously served as the Dean School of Distance and Lifelong Learning at Makerere University.

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