Profile of Prof. John Ddumba, Makerere university Vice Chancellor

On the 28th August 2012, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu received an Instrument of Appointment as Vice Chancellor Makerere University, from the Chancellor, Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera.

Prof. John Ddumba-Ssentamu 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 is the Chair of Makerere university Senate, Makerere university Management, and is a 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), with substantial physical facilities and human resource capacity. This Faculty was later transformed into the College of Business and Management Sciences, where Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu has been serving as the Acting Principal until his elevation to the Vice Chancellorship.

He mobilized UGX 5 billion for the construction of 3 buildings that currently house the Schools of Business and Economics in this College. Prof. Ddumba, as he is commonly referred to, has served Makerere university in various capacities including Associate Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences (1993-1994), Head of Economics Department (1994-1998), Director, Makerere University Institute of Economics (1998-2004), Dean Faculty of Economics and Management (2004-2010), Member of Senate representing the School of Economics and Vice Chairman of the Change Management Committee.

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, Micro-finance 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.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu is the Chairman, Board of Directors, Centenary Bank Ltd. Under his Chairmanship, this bank has expanded its business visibility and social service provision to momentous levels with 50 branches countrywide. The Bank’s newly constructed headquarters, at Mapeera house in the centre of Kampala City are the tallest bank towers in the country.

A number of prominent persons have gone through Prof. Ddumba’s mentorship including the first speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Margaret Zziwa, the leader of opposition Nandal Mafabi, and the Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda – Dr. Louis Kasekende.

He has influenced the positive trend of the economic sector as a Member, Board of Management for Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) (1994- 2007), Member, Board of Directors and Chairperson of Human Resource and Business Committee – Pride Microfinance Uganda Limited (Oct. 2000- Oct.2002) and as a Member and Treasurer of Uganda Economics Association. (1987 – 2005).

The illustrious Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu has made a lasting mark on Uganda’s education sector through his diligent service as Council Member and Vice Chairperson – Governing Council Kisubi Brothers University College, a position he has held since 2008; Caretaker Vice Chancellor Ndejje University Uganda (1999-2001); Council Member Muteesa I Royal University (2011-to date); Member, Board of Governors Rubaga Boys’ Senior Secondary School (1999 to date); and Member, Board of Governors Nkoni Senior Secondary School (2000-2002).

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu is an ardent researcher who has published in various local and international journals including: African Review of Money, Finance and Banking; and African Journal of Economic Policy.

He has also written a number of books including ‘Basic Economics for East Africa: Concepts, Analysis and Applications’ which won the 2008 Fountain Award of Distinction for the Best Selling Book.

He was the Team leader for a committee which formulated the Makerere University Investment Policy that was approved by the University Council in 2006.

Prof. Ddumba brings on board a wealth of experience in writing winning proposals. He wrote and won a funding proposal worth USD 6 Million to host a Regional MA (Economic Policy Management) Program sponsored by (ACBF) in Harare and the Government of Japan through World Bank since 1998 to date.

Under this program, students are drawn from Eritrea, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Zambia, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland, Malawi and Burundi.  ACBF has funded three phases of four cohorts and has recently provided more funds for phase four to fund five cohorts from 2012- 2017.