Makerere University scholar and Political analyst Yusuf Sserunkuma has weighed in on the growing debate surrounding Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga, following his rejection by Parliament for a ministerial appointment and the subsequent public controversy that has trailed his response.
In a statement directed at Victoria University Kampala, Sserunkuma urged caution in how the Vice Chancellor is navigating his public and political engagements, arguing that his position carries institutional weight that should not be undermined by political ambition.
“Someone has to tap the shoulder of your VC and ask him to slow down. He is still the face of your university – even if he had resigned. If he goes down, doesn’t go alone. (Same, if he goes up),” Sserunkuma stated.
He warned that abrupt shifts from university leadership into active political pursuit could blur institutional identity and affect public perception of the university.
“If it is service to country, surely, deputy internal affairs minister ranks below Vice Chancellor of a university. Slowing down will give him the opportunity to walk back in dignity should he fail to go ‘up,’” he added.
The remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of Dr Muganga following his rejection by Parliament’s Appointments Committee over unresolved questions linked to his citizenship status.
The decision has sparked a wave of public reaction, with Muganga alleging discrimination and insisting that he is being unfairly targeted despite his record in academia and public service.
In the aftermath, Muganga has maintained a strong public presence, including a widely discussed visit to his parents’ graves, which some observers interpreted as a symbolic reaffirmation of his Ugandan identity. The visit drew mixed reactions across political and social circles, further intensifying the debate.
Sserunkuma’s intervention adds a critical academic voice to the discussion, shifting attention toward the responsibilities of university leaders who engage in national politics while still holding senior institutional roles.
Victoria University has not issued an official response to the remarks.
The controversy continues to highlight broader questions around identity, public office eligibility, and the intersection between academia and politics in Uganda’s leadership space.