Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) is buzzing with anticipation as Dr. Fred Kaggwa steps into his new role as the Dean-elect for the Faculty of Computing and Informatics. This marks a significant transition, as Dr. Kaggwa will be taking the reins from Dr. Evarist Naabasa, who has led the faculty with distinction for the past decade.
The election process saw Dr. Kaggwa standing alongside Dr. Angella Musiimenta, who has served diligently as the Deputy Dean for the faculty.1 Their collaborative presence during the election period underscored a shared commitment to the faculty’s future, hinting at a smooth and cooperative transition.
Dr. Kaggwa brings a wealth of experience and a clear vision to his new leadership position. His long-standing dedication to MUST and his profound understanding of the computing and informatics landscape position him perfectly to build upon the strong foundation laid by Dr. Naabasa. The university community looks forward to witnessing the continued growth and innovation within the Faculty of Computing and Informatics under Dr. Kaggwa’s guidance.
From Lecturer to Dean: Dr. Fred Kaggwa’s Legacy of Excellence in FCI
Dr. Fred Kaggwa is a highly accomplished academic leader and Senior Lecturer at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), where he has dedicated over 17 years of service to the Faculty of Computing and Informatics and the Department of Computer Science. His career is characterized by consistent growth, transformational leadership, and significant contributions both within Uganda and internationally.
Dr. Kaggwa has held numerous influential positions within MUST’s top management, including roles on the Top Management Committee, the Senate, the Academic Affairs Committee, and the Irregularities Committee. He has been actively involved in critical university functions such as curriculum development, quality assurance, postgraduate supervision, industrial training coordination, and research and innovation, along with capacity-building initiatives.
A strong advocate for his faculty, Dr. Kaggwa successfully campaigned for increased funding for the new Faculty of Computing and Informatics building and its operational budget. He has passionately defended the Faculty’s academic programs before the Senate and championed its interests through the Academic Affairs Committee, maintaining a high attendance rate at faculty and departmental meetings. He has also chaired numerous curriculum review processes at both faculty and university levels.
His collaborative research initiatives, such as UCoBS and MUDSReH, have led to the establishment of a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, wireless infrastructure, and a mini data science lab at MUST. These projects have also supported outreach programs in secondary schools, aimed at promoting STEM education and increasing female enrollment in ICT programs.
Dr. Kaggwa co-initiated and has convened the PhD Symposium at MUST for the past decade, a platform that has significantly improved PhD completion rates and expanded the postgraduate student community. He is a dedicated mentor and research supervisor, having successfully guided 17 Master’s students and 5 PhD candidates to completion, with more currently in progress. His academic expertise extends to external examining roles for several universities in Uganda and Tanzania.
Dream come true: Dr. Kaggwa during the launch of the FCI building. Fred campaigned for increased funding for the new Faculty of Computing and Informatics building and its operational budget.
As a Chairperson of various organizing committees, Dr. Kaggwa has spearheaded several groundbreaking events at MUST, including the 1st National Conference on Communications (NCC), the 1st Innovation Technology Summit for Africa, the 1st AI for Health: Opportunities and Challenges in Africa (AIHOCA) Symposium, and the 1st-ever Datathon. These events have greatly enhanced the university’s visibility and engagement in the regional innovation ecosystem.
Prior to his current role, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Computing Sciences at the University of Saint Joseph Mbarara for three years, providing strategic academic leadership.
Having progressed from an entry-level lecturer to a senior academic leader, Dr. Kaggwa possesses a rich blend of experience in teaching, research, administration, and industry collaboration. His advanced training at prestigious global institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), KIT (Netherlands), and the University of Twente (Netherlands) has honed his expertise in computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and quality assurance.
With this robust foundation and a forward-looking vision, Dr. Fred Kaggwa is committed to leading the Faculty of Computing and Informatics at MUST toward sustained excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness as its newly elected Dean.
Dr. Fred Kaggwa: Contact Multiple Principal Investigator at MUDSReH and Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at MUST in Uganda.
Dr. Kaggwa is the brain behind the MUDSReH working closely with the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This led to the winning of a significant grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the Mbarara University Data Science Research Hub, is the first-ever Data Science Research Laboratory in Uganda, and has sparked innovation in critical areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and education through the application of artificial intelligence. This is indeed a notable milestone for our nation. I wish to know more about it and inform the different stakeholders who can provide support to allow continuity even when the project span ends.
Dr. Fred Kaggwa’s elevation to Dean of the Faculty of Computing and Informatics is a truly well-deserved recognition of his 17 years of impactful service, transformational leadership, and unwavering commitment to Mbarara University of Science and Technology. His proven track record in securing resources, fostering academic excellence, driving innovation, and promoting community engagement perfectly aligns with MUST’s mandate to be a leading center of science and technology. With his extensive experience and forward-looking vision, Dr. Kaggwa is exceptionally positioned to steer the faculty towards continued growth, global competitiveness, and impactful contributions to both academia and society. Congratulations to you and best of luck.
Couldn’t make it? See all the amazing moments from the event here!
