KAMPALA, UGANDA — Makerere University has appointed Prof. Sarah Ssali as its new first deputy vice-chancellor for academic affairs, making her the second woman to ever hold the position in the university’s 100-year history.
The appointment was announced by Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Nawangwe, who confirmed the news on his official X account, called the appointment “well-deserved.”
Ssali, a two-decade veteran of Makerere University, most recently served as the dean of the School of Gender and Development Studies. She also held key positions as director of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Notions of Identities and as a member of the University Council.
At a public presentation on Aug. 25, Ssali outlined her vision for academic excellence, emphasizing the need for curriculum innovation, research, and strong teaching-research integration to keep Makerere globally competitive.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a master’s in gender studies from Makerere University, as well as a doctorate in international health studies from Queen Margaret University in the United Kingdom.
Ssali follows Prof. Lillian Tibatemwa-Ekirikubinza, who was the first woman to hold the deputy vice-chancellor position at Makerere. The office is one of the most critical roles in the university’s administration, overseeing all academic programs, curriculum development, and quality assurance.
