On 17th December 2010, Makerere University Council approved the Senate recommendation to transform Makerere into a collegiate University. The transformation was aimed at improving service delivery. In July 2011, Makerere University officially transitioned from the Faculty-based to the collegiate system with 10 Constituent Colleges including the School of Law, all operating as semi-autonomous units of the University. The Uganda Gazette of Friday, 30th December 2011 Vol. CIV No. 76 containing Statutory Instrument No. 68 –The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Constituent Colleges of Makerere University) Order, 2011 officially declared the transition.
According to the Makerere Constituent Colleges Statute, Section 12, each College should be headed by a Principal who is appointed by the Chancellor on the recommendation of the University Council. Following the set policies and guidelines, the University Council periodically constitutes a Search Committee to nominate suitable candidates for the position of Principal and Deputy Principal for a term of four years. As the Chief Administrative Officer, the Principal is mandated to promote and maintain academic excellence, efficiency and order at the College. Principals are also mandated to implement University policies and enforce applicable regulations at the College.
In 2019, the University Council constituted a Committee to search for suitable candidates to fill vacant positions of Principal and Deputy Principal in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), College of Health Sciences and the College of Business and Management Sciences. As part of the selection processes, the Search Committee organizes public presentations for shortlisted candidates to explain how they intend to manage their respective Colleges.
