Makerere University, once hailed as a hub of academic excellence, has been reduced to a microcosm of Uganda’s deeply entrenched tribalism under President Museveni’s regime. The university’s leadership is a glaring example of how one tribe—the Bahima—dominates key positions, sidelining diversity and meritocracy in favor of tribal loyalty.
Here’s how the Bahima network controls Makerere:
The leadership monopoly
Chancellor: Dr. Crispus Walter Kiyonga
- A long-time Museveni loyalist and a prominent Muhima, Kiyonga’s appointment ensures that the university remains aligned with the regime’s agenda.
Vice Chancellor: Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
- While his ethnicity is not Muhima, his appointment is deeply tied to the Bahima-dominated power structure. His loyalty to the regime ensures his alignment with the interests of the ruling class.
Appointments Board (Chairperson): Edwin Karugire
- Museveni’s son-in-law and a Muhima, Karugire’s position highlights the blatant nepotism and tribalism shaping Makerere’s governance. University Council (Chairperson): Lorna Magara
- Another Muhima, Magara is directly linked to the First Family, ensuring the Council serves as an extension of Museveni’s tribal patronage.
Staff Development: Bruce Balaba Kabasa
- A known Muhima operative, Kabasa’s leadership reflects the deliberate placement of loyalists in positions that control the university’s future. Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA): Dr. Dianah Ahumuza Ateenyi
- Her appointment ensures that even staff advocacy is tethered to the Bahima agenda, further marginalizing other tribes.
Militarization and Bahima entrenchment
National Enterprise Corporation (NEC):
- The UPDF-owned construction company, led by General James Mugira, another Muhima, secured the lucrative renovation tender. This ensures the Bahima control not just governance but also the financial veins of the university. Saracen Security:
- Owned by Salim Saleh, Museveni’s brother and a Muhima, Saracen is deployed to suppress dissent and reinforce tribal hegemony within the institution.
The consequences of Bahima hegemony*
Marginalization of other tribes
- Makerere’s leadership lacks ethnic diversity, alienating students, staff, and faculty from non-Bahima backgrounds. This fosters resentment and undermines national unity.
Erosion of meritocracy
- Qualified individuals from other tribes are routinely sidelined in favor of Bahima loyalists, stifling innovation and excellence.
Institutional decay
- The prioritization of loyalty over competence has turned Makerere into a tool of regime propaganda, eroding its academic standing and global reputation.
Suppression of academic freedom
- With Bahima-dominated security forces controlling the university, dissenting voices are silenced, and critical thought is crushed.
A Nation Held Hostage
The Bahima domination of Makerere University is not an isolated case—it reflects a broader trend across Uganda, where tribal favoritism has permeated every sector under Museveni’s rule. This systemic tribalism has deepened ethnic divisions, eroded public trust, and crippled institutions meant to serve all Ugandans.
Makerere University should be a national institution, not a Bahima fortress. For Uganda to progress, tribalism must be dismantled, and leadership positions must reflect the country’s rich diversity. Only then can the university—and the nation—fulfill their potential.