By O. Alfred
UGANDA: As of July 1st, 2024, Dr. Olive Sabiiti is set to assume the position of Vice Chancellor at Cavendish University Uganda (CUU) in Acting Capacity, taking over from Prof. John Mugisha, who has held the role for the past eight years.
Sabiiti has been working closely with Mugisha as the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs during his tenure.
The announcement was made during the Academic Board meeting on June 11, 2024, marking the end of Mugisha’s second term and the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
Prof. Olubayi Olubayi, the University’s Council Chairman, mentioned that Sabiiti, a long-time collaborator of Mugisha, will serve as the Acting Vice Chancellor until a permanent replacement is named.
Mugisha’s tenure was highlighted by various achievements, such as increasing access to higher education for students from disadvantaged backgrounds through scholarships.
Olubayi highlighted in a statement released on June 11, 2024 that Mugisha also enhanced regulatory compliance, expanded the range of programs available, promoted digital transformation, and invested in staff development.
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He stressed that all these efforts have positioned the university as a leading center for excellence, innovation, and transformation in the region.
Mugisha leaves after eight years of service at the university, since 2016.
During his time, Olubayi said he has effectively led the university and steered it towards growth, stability, and ongoing success.
The university expressed its gratitude to Mugisha for his exceptional leadership, which has enhanced student-centered, high-quality, market-relevant, and transformative education, resulting in the development of numerous skilled, entrepreneurial, and ethical graduates across Africa and beyond.
Mugisha’s dedication to academic research and innovation has cultivated a spirit of intellectual curiosity and exploration, motivating both faculty and students to expand the boundaries of knowledge and contribute to the progress of their respective fields.
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Olubayi noted the Prof. Mugisha’s deep engagement with higher education stakeholders, such as the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), and East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTCO), has further solidified Cavendish University’s position as a leader in the realm of higher education.
Who is Sabiiti?
Dr. Sabiiti is a Senior Lecturer, a scholar of law and an advocate of the High Court of Uganda. As a Commonwealth Scholar, Sabiiti earned her PhD degree in law from the University of Manchester, UK.
As a British Chevening Scholar, she earned her LLM (Master of Laws in International Business Law) degree with merit from the University of Manchester, UK. She holds a post-graduate diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre, Uganda, and a Bachelor of Laws degree (LLB) with Honours from Makerere University.
Prior to joining Cavendish University Uganda, Sabiiti taught Law and Finance in Emerging Markets, Land Transactions, Business and Commercial laws at the University of Manchester, Makerere University, Uganda Christian University, Mukono, and Uganda Management Institute (UMI).
For close to a decade, Sabiiti served as the Speaker of Mpigi District Council, Chair of the Association of all District Council Speakers in the Country and as Chair of the Conflict Resolution Committee of the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA).
As an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, she has practiced law for more than 15 years. She is a member of the Uganda Law Society, East Africa Law Society, and the Society for Institutional and Organisational Economics. She represents Cavendish University Uganda at the International Association of Law Schools.