Dr Edgar Fred Nabutabyi has been appointed new Head, Department of Literature, Makerere University. Dr Nabutanyi takes on from Dr Okot Benge who has held the position since July 2016.
Dr Nabutanyi holds a PhD from the English Department at Stellenbosch University. He is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Literature and Coordinator of the Gerda Henkel Stiftung and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation projects at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University. Dr Nabutanyi is a prolific researcher who has published books, and a number of articles in internationally recognized journals.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held in the Office of the Principal, CHUSS on 4th December 2020, the outgoing head congratulated Dr Nabutanyi and pledged to support him to steer the Department of Literature to the next level. "In you the Department has put forward its best foot; and under your care, the Department will scale even greater heights," he noted. Dr Benge appreciated the College and University Management for the unwavering support accorded to him during his tenure in office that enabled him to register a number of achievements. Key among the achievements was the increased number of grants that have boosted the research portfolio of the Department. The Department has also registered an increase in outreach programmes, with more members of staff and students engaging in projects with communities.
The incoming Head, Dr Nabutanyi thanked the Department and University Management for entrusting him with the responsibility to lead the Department. He pledged to serve to the best of his ability to make the Department greater.
In her remarks, the Acting Dean, School of Languages, Literature and Communication, Dr Edith Natukunda- Togboa appreciated the outgoing Head for his efforts towards improving the Department. She described the incoming Head as a great researcher, publisher and very resourceful person who will no doubt transform the Department.
She commended the Department of Literature for its outstanding contribution to the development of the School and College. “Literature is a star Department that has given birth to several other departments including Journalism and Communication, and has trained several celebrated writers including Ngugi W'thiong, Prof. David Rubadiri and Hon. Mary Karoro Okurut. The Department has also greatly contributed to shaping Uganda's film industry.
The Principal of CHUSS, Dr Josephine Ahikire appreciated the outgoing head for his diligent service to the Department and congratulated the incoming Head upon his appointment. Highlighting the key issues to be addressed, the Principal tasked the new head to ensure zero tolerance for sexual harassment in the Department.