May 29, 2025 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is charting a new course for its esteemed Faculty of Medicine, as the Vice Chancellor, Professor Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, recently held a pivotal brainstorming session with faculty and staff. The meeting’s core focus was the structural design of the new Faculty building and its laboratories, alongside strategic discussions about achieving college status for the health sciences disciplines.
The productive session was expertly moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Joseph Ngonzi, who initiated the discussions with a comprehensive presentation on the Faculty’s current status and its foundational role within the university. In attendance were key university officials, including the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Nixon Kamukama, and the University Engineer, Achilles Byabashaija.
Professor Kamukama opened by expressing his appreciation to the faculty members for their impressive turnout on short notice. He extended heartfelt thanks to the Vice Chancellor for her dedication to building a new home for a founding Faculty, a project he affirmed would receive the full support of the university management.
Professor Byakika-Kibwika, in turn, thanked the attendees for their overwhelming presence, stating her positive conviction that the project would gain significant momentum due to the collective commitment of the faculty to support the management. She clarified that the ambitious project would be executed in phases. The Vice Chancellor also highlighted plans for decongesting the town campus, with some departments slated to relocate to the Kihumuro campus where existing structures can be leveraged.
A key outcome of the meeting was the unanimous agreement to form two crucial committees: a Construction Working Committee and a College of Health Sciences Working Committee. These committees are tasked with developing detailed reports, which will first be deliberated at the Faculty Board level. Following thorough discussion and refinement within the Faculty, the Dean will then present these proposals to the university’s top management, meticulously adhering to all established University approval protocols.
The Deputy Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Jonans Tusiimire, brought the meeting to a close with his concluding remarks. He acknowledged the foundational work of previous Deans, emphasizing that while the construction phase has begun during his and Professor Ngonzi’s tenure, it builds upon a legacy of effort. Dr. Tusiimire highly appreciated the teamwork and dedication the members have demonstrated throughout their current term. He noted that their term was nearing its end, and he expressed curiosity about the members’ thoughts regarding the future.
The meeting concluded on a high note, signaling a shared vision and collaborative spirit that promises to usher in a new era of growth and development for the Faculty of Medicine at MUST, ultimately enhancing medical education and research in Uganda.
