At the EfD-Uganda Annual General Meeting held at Glory Summit Hotel in Hoima District on July 18, 2024, Professors Edward Bbaale and Johnny Mugisha were re-elected unopposed as Director and Deputy Director of the EfD-Mak Centre, respectively.
The EfD-Mak Centre, established in 2018 and officially launched at Makerere University in October 2019, held its inaugural AGM, where the duo was elected. The voting exercise, presided over by EfD Mak Advisory Board member Prof. Eria Hisali, included research fellows, advisory board members, and leadership from the collaborating colleges of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Business and Management Sciences,
“I congratulate colleagues who have offered themselves for the leadership and also congratulate you for winning the trust and support of the AGM. The task ahead of us is enormous, and I hope all colleagues will support you in steering this institution into the future,” Eria Hisali stated.
Edward Bbaale was nominated in absentia by Alex Tatwangire and seconded by John Sseruyange and Ibrahim Okumu. Edward Bbaale was away on EfD-related activities in Perugia, Italy. Alex Tatwangire praised the leadership team for their accomplishments, suggesting the continuation of their tenure.
“I wish to nominate Prof. Edward Bbaale for the position of Director,” Alex Tatwangire said.
Edward Bbaale’s agent, John Sseruyange, conveyed his acceptance of the nomination and the vote, saying, “I wish to thank the voters on behalf of Prof. Edward Bbaale. He is ready to continue promoting the work of the center, strengthen engagement with policymakers, and enhance institutional and capacity-building initiatives.”
Prof. Johnny Mugisha was nominated by Florence Lwiza and seconded by Vincent Ssaajabi and John Sseruyange and declared Deputy Director-elect. Mugisha expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is an honor to be given the responsibility to keep on the driving seat of the EfD Mak Centre. I derive my confidence from the existing structure, our focused advisory board, and the commitment of our research fellows and administrators at the center.”
He emphasized his commitment to advancing the center’s goals and acknowledged the strategic direction outlined during the AGM.
“The experience we have enjoyed in the last five years gives us confidence that we shall move the center to higher levels. We have growing interest from our partners and collaborators within Makerere and beyond. I accept this responsibility as the Deputy Director,” he affirmed.
The EfD Mak center’s leadership structure is unique, with a Director and Deputy Director stemming from different colleges due to the collaborative nature of its founding between CoBAMS and CAES. This arrangement ensures that while the center is structurally hosted by CAES, the Director comes from CoBAMS and the Deputy Director from CAES, promoting balanced representation and collaboration.
By: Jane Anyango.
Communication Officer.