Dr. Johnes Obungoloch the New Dean in FAST
On March 31, 2022, the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST) held a swearing in ceremony for the new Dean
Dr. Johnes Obungoloch was sworn in as the Dean FAST after Dr. Eng. Theodora Twongyirwe Mondo (Theo) the pioneer Dean.
As the outing going Dean Theo thanked the FAST Team for the solidarity. She said,” let us give the glory to God, see how He has brought us together!”.
Dr. Theodora thanked the administration for supporting the faculty’s growth and development. She thanked the Vice Chancellors, Prof. F.I.B Kayanja for spearheading and pioneering the Kihumuro project through staff development, infrastructural development among others. To the current Vice Chancellor Prof. Celestino Obua for continuing and bettering what Prof. Kayanja started through promoting continuous staff development, research, and community engagement. “We are who we are today because we had a supportive management”.
This would not have been possible without the support of the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Education and Sports. These supported FAST through the African Development Bank project
Dr. Theodora recognized the pioneer team known as Kihumuro project team these included: Ms. Robina Nakakeeto, Dr. Pamela Mbabazi, Mr. Stephen Bazirake and Eng. Patrick Mujunansi. “Together we built Kihumuro from scratch to where it is today”. said Dean Theodora.
She added that later she received volunteers Eng. William Wasswa, Mr. Stephen Nakibinge, Eng. Addah Kyarisiima and Mr. Jim Mugisha. Dr. Theodora complimented them for enduring the challenges such as lack of space (all shared one office) bushy and very cold surrounding with wild animals, distance among others.
Dr. Theodora said she was very thrilled with the recommended persons who were dedicated and committed to work, never looked at Money as a priority. “To the volunteer team, “what an admirable character you have ?”. Dr. Theodora said these worked for 3 months without payment and never complained. Addah was recommended by Dr. Annabella Habinka and Jimmy was recommended by Mr. Dominique Musana. She added that when you mean well the right people come to you. “I have worked with committed persons, we have disagreed, laughed made up, I seek your forgiveness where matters never went well”.
To the incoming dean, Dr, Theodora welcomed him to a position that requires dedication, commitment, and time. She handed Dr. Johnes Obungoloch a Dean’s Dairy which had all mandatory meeting days. Dr. Theodora handed over a Maxwell bible which mentors any leader to stand in any position of leadership, she added that Leadership can be lonely but with guidance from God and some literature you can get through.
She wished him well and pledged to continue supporting him and the faculty
This was followed by the ushering in of the new Dean, enrobing and taking of the oaths and later the acceptance speech by the new Dean.
Challenge to the audience by the programme Director: Define Theodora in one word,
A mentor a friend, teacher, a mother, that was my answer, good, excellent, well-wisher, selfless, determined, committed …….
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Johnes Obungoloch thanked the Outing dean for her mentorship, and motherly personality. He added that under Dr. Theodora FAST was a family, as a leader she would check on you with a message, she knows all our names and would engage us on a personal level for career growth and promoted staff development. He added that Theodora always followed policies in everything she did. Dr. Johnes said he was blessed to work with her and get some leadership skills.
Dr. Johnes Obungloch appreciated the Maxwell bible a guide to leadership, “I was used to the maxwell equations now I have added the bible”
To the team at FAST Dr. Obungoloch asked for their support and team work especially on matters of developing an inclusive leadership, postgraduate programmes, research teams and community outreach programmes
He added that students and staff welfare was key for the faculty’s growth. He thanked administration for the support and promised to work with them. He concluded by say: “FAST has come a long way, we cannot afford to move backward but rather forward.
The Human Resource Director, Mr. Pinari Behangana represented the University management. He started by giving apologies from Prof. Nixon Kamukama who was away for official duty. His message was to congratulate Dean Theodora upon being a great leader and asked the incoming Dean to continue with the legacy.
Mr. Prinari thanked Dr. Theodora for agreeing to start the project and added that her selflessness then has given FAST the best of appearance to the extent that it’s the FAST building that appears on every document. This creates visibility of the University. How you accepted the humble beginnings has allowed the rest of us enjoy the state-of-the-art buildings.
“As someone in management I am confident that you have mentored a very vibrant team, very energetic and enthusiastic”, said Mr. Behangana. He added that Dr. Theo has a character of never giving up until she gets what she wants. Following the audiences’ description, allow me to congratulate you for being a mother who digs out the best in everyone, ” said Mr. Behangana. He added with such a character he wishes Dr, Theodora to take up another position of Leadership in the MUST management to build the institution to greater heights.
To the incoming Dean, Mr. Prinari Behangana urged him to be friends with his team, work together, engage them as well as mentor them. He encouraged him to seek guidance from his seniors and know the position he is holding. Sometimes you will be required to make tough decisions that may include disappointing some people but for as long as you are doing the right thing go ahead and do it, leaders are not every one’s favorites.
In honor and recognition for her services, different departments presented gifts to the outgoing Dean Dr. Theodora Twongyirwe. The event ended with a cocktail in the FAST quadrangle.