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| Installation ceremony of Rev. Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri |
The staff and community of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) on March 24, 2015 witnessed the colorful ceremony of the installation of Rev Prof. John Chrysostom Maviiri as new Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University at the main Campus.
The ceremony was presided over by the Chancellor of the University, Most Rev. John Baptist Odama, who is also the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC).
Prof. Maviiri takes over from Prof. Charles Olweny who retired in January this year after serving the institution for eight years.
“I’m taking this responsibility when the institution is 22 years-old. I have fully accepted the responsibilities and I promise to do my best,” Prof Maviiri said after his installation adding that “I will do my best to keep Uganda Martyrs University on high level and will also turn our challenges into opportunities.”
He also expressed gratitude towards the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olweny for the wonderful work during his tenure as a VC of the institution.
In his speech, Archbishop Odama tasked Prof. Maviiri with the duty of taking UMU to a higher level. He said, “Though corruption, drug addiction, abortion, unemployment prevails in the country, the Vice-Chancellor, together with the management of the university should be the watchdog of God and the country.”
He further called upon Prof. Maviiri to inculcate in the students the norms, values and customs of the Catholic Church as he performs his duties and responsibilities at the University.
The function was attended by several dignitaries including the Archbishop of Kampala, Most Rev. Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, the Bishop of Masaka, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Kaggwa, the Bishop of Lugazi, Rt. Rev. Christopher Kakooza, the Bishop of Fort Portal, Rt. Rev. Robert Muhiirwa, the retired Bishop of Fort-Portal, Rt. Rev. Paul Kalanda, and the UEC Secretary General, Msgr. John Baptist Kauta.
Also present at the event were priests, religious brothers and sisters from various congregations and members of the laity including officials from the Central government.
Uganda Martyrs University was first led by Prof. Michel Lejuene from Belgium, who handed over to Prof. Olweny from Tororo.
Pofessor Maviiri was ordained priest on November 29, 1981. He holds a PhD in Dogmatic Theology from Urban University in Rome, among other credentials. He served as the Vice-Chancellor of the Kenya-based Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) from 2002 to 2011.
By Juliet Lukwago, New Contact Magazine, UEC