Kabale University to Install Canon Mathew Rukikaire as Second Chancellor

Kabale University is preparing for a historic leadership transition. In a ceremony scheduled for March 31, 2026, the institution will formally install Canon Mathew Rukikaire as its second Chancellor. This milestone marks a significant chapter for the university as it continues to consolidate its status as a leading public institution in the Great Lakes Region.

Rukikaire, a veteran statesman, entrepreneur, and former Minister, was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni in late 2025, succeeding Prof. Mondo Kagonyera. Prof. Kagonyera served two distinguished terms, overseeing the university’s critical transition from a private entity to a public university in 2015. The appointment of Rukikaire is seen as a strategic move to leverage his vast experience in governance and private sector development to boost the university’s endowment and research capabilities.

The University Council, led by Chairman Addison Kakuru, confirmed that preparations are in high gear. “We are honored to welcome a leader of Canon Rukikaire’s caliber,” Kakuru noted. “His track record in economic reform during the 1990s is exactly the kind of vision we need to guide our strategic direction for the next decade.”

As Chancellor, Rukikaire will serve as the ceremonial head of the university, presiding over graduations and conferring degrees. However, his role is expected to go beyond the ceremonial. In his preliminary remarks, Rukikaire expressed a keen interest in strengthening the university’s ties with the Kigezi sub-region’s agricultural and tourism sectors.

The installation is expected to draw high-ranking government officials and academic leaders from across East Africa. For the students and staff at Kabale, the arrival of a new Chancellor brings renewed hope for infrastructure expansion and increased international partnerships, ensuring the “Green University” remains a competitive force in Uganda’s higher education landscape.