In a powerful and emotionally resonant gathering, Makerere University hosted the Second Annual Frank Kalimuzo Memorial Lecture this week, paying tribute to the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of its first Ugandan Vice-Chancellor, the late Frank Kalimuzo.
The memorial, themed “Remembering Frank Kalimuzo: Lessons for Universities in Cultivating a Culture of Service and Distinguished Leadership”, brought together public servants, scholars, students, and members of the Kalimuzo family for a reflective session steeped in calls for ethical leadership and institutional integrity.
A Legacy Etched in Service and Courage
Delivering the closing remarks, Mrs Lorna Magara, Chairperson of Makerere University Council, described the event as a reaffirmation of Kalimuzo’s transformative influence:
“Makerere University is deeply proud of the impact Mr. Kalimuzo made during his tenure—redefining leadership in public service through integrity, courage, and a steadfast commitment to the common good,” she said.
She hailed his courage in upholding institutional values under political duress and urged today’s students, faculty, and staff to embody his legacy by making service, not success, their primary pursuit.
“The Kalimuzo Lecture Series is not just a tribute; it is a commitment to shaping leaders grounded in purpose and principle,” she added.
Esther Kalimuzo: A Voice of Memory and Moral Clarity
In a deeply moving address, Mrs. Esther Kalimuzo, widow of the late Vice-Chancellor, recounted the tragedy of her husband’s abduction and disappearance in 1972 under Idi Amin’s regime:
“He was abducted… not because of a crime, but because of his character,” she said. “To this day, we have no grave, no explanation, no closure. But his silence has not been wasted. It has become a witness.”
Her remarks cut to the core of Kalimuzo’s enduring relevance: “Are our universities bastions of critical thinking and moral courage, or merely factories for certificates?” she challenged during a lecture held on Friday at the university’s main campus.
“We owe it to Frank to ensure Uganda never again descends into an era where silence is safety and integrity is punished.”
A Call to Ethical Reform and Purposeful Leadership
Prof. Moses Muhwezi, Principal of Makerere University Business School and keynote speaker, emphasised that Kalimuzo’s model of leadership remains as vital today as it was over five decades ago.
“His impact didn’t require decades—just clarity of purpose, humility, and courage. He showed us that servant leadership means doing more than your job description, especially when no one is watching,” Prof. Muhwezi said.
He urged public institutions to reflect critically: “Are we building systems that serve the people or ones that serve themselves?”
He highlighted Kalimuzo’s focus on mentorship, inclusion, and institutional integrity, arguing that leaders today must foster environments where others can rise, not merely follow orders.
“Humility is not weakness; it is the strength that sustains lasting institutions,” he added.
University Leadership Reaffirms Commitment
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor of Physics, Tumps Ireeta, welcomed the audience and praised the lecture as a cornerstone of the university’s calendar. He highlighted the continued support of the Kalimuzo family and thanked Makerere University Business School for its collaboration.
Prof. Ireeta also acknowledged Ms. Allen Kagina, a distinguished retired public servant, as a vital contributor to the dialogue, reflecting on her own long-standing record of institutional leadership.
A Vision Carved in History
Born in 1925, Frank Kalimuzo held academic qualifications from Makerere, Aberystwyth (Wales), and Oxford. Appointed Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 1970, by President Milton Obote, Kalimuzo led the transformation of Makerere from a colonial academic outpost into a proudly national institution.
During his tenure, he introduced several key faculties, including Law, Commerce, Technology, and Forestry, and expanded the university’s libraries and infrastructure.
Kalimuzo’s leadership, though tragically cut short, laid the foundation for a vision of education that balanced intellectual rigour with moral responsibility.
Broader Reflections on Public Service
Moderated by Ms. Allen Kagina, a distinguished retired public servant, the discussion also examined the role of leadership in Uganda’s development trajectory. Kagina commended the speakers for challenging the status quo and drawing urgent lessons from Kalimuzo’s legacy.
The Frank Kalimuzo Memorial Lecture has now become a cornerstone in the university’s effort to instil value-based leadership in future generations. This year’s lecture affirmed that Kalimuzo’s story is not a chapter of the past, but a blueprint for the present and future.
“Let us not speak of him only in the past tense,” Esther Kalimuzo said. “Let us honour him in present action… and walk in the footsteps of integrity.”
The event reaffirmed Makerere University’s commitment to not only academic excellence but also national transformation through servant leadership. As Prof. Muhwezi concluded, “Bravery matters. Kalimuzo stood firm even as others disappeared. Public servants today must do no less.”
