By KT Reporter
Professor Livingstone Sserwadda Luboobi, a distinguished mathematician, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, and towering figure in Ugandan academia, has passed away at the age of 80. The news of his passing was confirmed by current Makerere Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who described Prof. Luboobi as “a leader who guided the university through a critical period of transformation and growth.”
“His contributions to academia and leadership at Makerere will be remembered with great respect and admiration. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Prof. Nawangwe posted on X. Prof. Luboobi died at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted for several weeks.
He served as Makerere University’s Vice Chancellor from 2004 to 2009, taking over from Prof. John P. M. L. Ssebuwufu and preceding Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba. His tenure was marked by institutional reforms, academic collaborations, and infrastructure growth. Born on December 25, 1944, in Mitondo village, Kalisizo (now Kyotera District), Prof. Luboobi rose from modest beginnings to become one of Uganda’s most celebrated academics.
After attending Matale, Kakoma, and Kako Junior schools, he enrolled at Ntare School for his O-Levels, emerging as the second-best student nationally. He pursued A-Levels at Makerere College School, later graduating with a First Class BSc in Mathematics from Makerere College under the University of East Africa in 1970. He went on to earn an MSc in Operations Research from the University of Toronto (1972) and a PhD in Applied Mathematics (Biomathematics) from the University of Adelaide (1980), where he developed mathematical models for managing insect populations in stored cereals.
As a pioneer of biomathematics in Africa, Prof. Luboobi made groundbreaking contributions to mathematical epidemiology, including modeling infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Rift Valley fever. He was the founding President of the African Society for Biomathematics and a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. At Makerere, Prof. Luboobi’s academic journey began as a tutorial assistant during his undergraduate years. He steadily rose through the ranks to become a full professor by 1997.
He held numerous leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Mathematics (1990–1991) and Dean of the Faculty of Science (1994–2001). As Vice Chancellor, he led critical strategic initiatives, including the development of Makerere’s 2000–2005 Strategic Plan and establishment of the Private Sector Forum. His leadership also helped secure UGX 30 billion in funding from NORAD for a five-year institutional development program. In 2008, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bergen for fostering international collaboration.
Despite retiring officially, Prof. Luboobi continued to supervise graduate students free of charge—a gesture that reflected his lifelong commitment to education. “I have given half of my life to this institution,” he once remarked in an interview. His career also featured academic engagements abroad, including teaching roles at the Universities of Toronto and Dar es Salaam, a Fulbright Scholarship at UC Berkeley, and visiting positions at Strathmore University and the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania.
Despite his accomplishments, Prof. Luboobi was known for his humility. When he was appointed Vice Chancellor, New Vision ran the headline: “Little-known Lugoloobi takes Muk’s top post.” Students often recalled his simple attire—Kaunda suits and modest black shoes—and his preference for substance over show. “I am not one of those who go around showing off. I’m more of a classroom teacher,” he once told a journalist. He defeated Prof. Elly Katunguka, now Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University, in the race for the Makerere VC position.
His impact extended beyond the gates of Makerere. During Uganda’s 51st Independence anniversary in 2013, President Yoweri Museveni recognized Prof. Luboobi with a medal for outstanding national service. “I thank the Almighty God for having enabled me to carry out this service,” he said humbly, crediting mentors like the late Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi for shaping his academic path.
His tenure as Vice Chancellor was not without controversy. Like many university leaders before and after him, he faced criticism over administrative and financial issues, with some staff accusing the leadership of mismanagement. The process of selecting his successor became contentious, prompting the intervention of then-Ministers Mwesigwa Rukutana and Namirembe Bitamazire.
Still, Prof. Luboobi remained a voice of wisdom and unity. At Makerere’s centenary celebrations, he emphasized the importance of nurturing internal talent and urged staff to focus on their responsibilities: “Please do not think you are always the best, or that you always direct in the best possible way,” he cautioned. In tributes pouring in on social media, fellow scholars and former students celebrated him as a “super mathematician,” a quiet leader, and a mentor who left an indelible mark on Uganda’s academic landscape-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
