“Disregard any rumours making rounds on social media announcing the death of former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu,” reliable sources tell Parrots UG.
Authorities at Makerere University have dismissed news alleging the death of their former Vice Chancellor Prof Kohn Ddumba Ssentamu that is making rounds on social media platforms.
An anonymous source who talked to Parrots UG on telephone refuted the news saying that Prof. Ddumba is alive and kicking.
“Disregard any rumours making rounds on social media announcing the death of former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu,” reliable sources tell Parrots UG.
Yesterday, reports circulated on social media alleging the death of the Professor whose five year term of office at ‘The Ivory Tower’ was characterised by chaotic actions from both students and staff.
“Breaking sad news!!! Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu, former Vice Chancellor Makerere University one of the best economists Uganda has ever had, academic researcher and banker has passed on few minutes ago. We grieve with his family. #ObserveSOPs.” read a Facebook post by Busoga Bloggers.
Another Facebook user, Alanz Mwesigwa Munakyalo also posted announcing the same.
“News coming in allege that former Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. John Ddumba Ssentamu candle burns out!” read an unverified post by Alanz Mwesigwa Munakyalo hashtagged #MunakyaloUpdates.
None of these posts and so many others however, gave details of Prof. Ddumba’s current health status. But PARROTS UG has learned that he is alive and not in worrying health conditions.
Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu who currently serves on the board of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) since September 2020, served as the vice chancellor of Uganda’s biggest academic institution, Makerere university between August 2012 and September 2017.
He is a Professor of Economics and has made his mark as an Economics Guru held in high esteem. He holds a PhD in Economics from Makerere University, a Masters in Economics from the University of Waterloo Ontario – Canada and a Bachelors in the same field from Makerere University.
Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu served as the Chair of Makerere University Senate, Makerere University Management, and member of Makerere University Council.
The charismatic Professor is on record for spearheading the team that transformed the Department of Economics under the then Faculty of Social Sciences into a fully fledged Faculty of Economics and Management (FEMA), which later transformed into the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS).
He served as the faculty’s Acting Principal until his elevation to the Vice Chancellorship in 2012.
He is greatly remembered to have spearheaded the mobilization of UGX5Billion for the construction of 3 buildings that currently house the Schools of Business and Economics in CoBAMS.
Prof. Ddumba, as he is commonly referred to, has also served Makerere University in various capacities including
Vice Chairman of the Change Management Committee; Member of Senate representing the School of Economics, Dean Faculty of Economics and Management (2004-2010)
Director, Makerere University Institute of Economics (1998-2004)
Head of Economics Department (1994-1998), Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (1993-1994).
The selfless Professor has offered his services in various capacities to the International Community including: Chairman Academic Board, African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), Nairobi, Kenya (2002-2009); Chairman, Microfinance African Institution Network (MAIN) based in Lome, Togo. (2002- 2011); Member of Advisory Board, the Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in Africa (CEEPA), Pretoria (2001-2008); Member of the Finance Commission of Caritas Internationalis based in the Vatican and Member of Editorial Advisory Board – Zambia Social Science Journal.
