IUIU starts search for new rector
Islamic University in Uganda graduates celebrate at their graduation ceremony at the university’s main campus in Mbale on Saturday. PHOTO BY Denis Mukungu
What you need to know:
Retirement. Dr Ahmed Ssengendo has been the rector of IUIU for 10 years.
KAMPALA. The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) Council, has started a search for a substantive rector to replace Dr Ahmed Ssengendo, whose contract expires in three months.
The council, which is the highest decision making organ of the university, took the decision last Friday during its sitting at Speak Resort, Munyonyo.
According to Hajj Kirunda Kivejinja, the council vice chairperson, the search committee is headed by Prof Abdul Kasozi, former executive director National Council for Higher Education.
“ That is one of the resolutions we have made as council and we expect the search committee to report back to us in one year –meaning Dr Ssengendo and his two deputies, will stay in office until the next council sitting ,” Mr Kivejinja told journalists shortly after the council meeting .
Dr Ssengendo’s deputies include Dr Mpezamihigo Muhammad and Dr Abdul Mpaata and unlike the former, the duo’s contracts expire in May next year.
Mr Kivenjinja said council members expressed satisfaction with Dr Ssengendo’s industrious contribution towards the growth of the 26-year-old institution and urged him to continue offering guidance even after he leaves office. Dr Ssengendo said he will not seek another term in office even if the law governing the university allows him.
“I am convinced that I have played my part and another person can now take over and steer the institution to greater heights,” he said
After relinquishing office, dr Ssengendo said he will return to the Faculty of Education to teach like any ordinary lecturer. Dr Ssengendo was appointed Rector in 2004, replacing Dr Mahdi Adam. “Being an educationist, I have a passion for teaching and I will continue doing that even after leaving office,” he added
During Dr Ssengendo’s 10 years at the helm of IUIU, he made significant progress in infrastructural development, expansion of academic programmes and maintaining a good image internationally.
However, Mr Ssengendo’s tenure has also witnessed sexual favouritism, nepotism and greed and with the Daily Monitor running a story in 2008, on how such scandals had threatened to undermine academic excellence at IUIU.
But, Dr Ssengendo has severally dismissed such allegations, saying they are being peddled by his detractors who are bent on tarnishing the image of the institution and bringing him down. A couple of years ago, his detractors claimed he possesses multiple diplomatic passports and supports terrorists, but security agencies investigated the matter and found no clues linking him to subversive and terrorists.
