KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Vice-Chancellor of Muni University, Prof Christine Dranzoa has died at the age of 55, the government-owned institution of higher learning announced today morning.
According to a University tweet sent out on Tuesday, June 28, Prof. Dranzoa, a fervent advocate of the girl child education passed on at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala where she was recently admitted battling an undisclosed health complication.
“We have just received the sad news of the untimely death of our dear Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Christine Dranzoa who passed on at 3:30 am this morning. Official communication will be made later in the day. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” The University tweeted without revealing the cause of her death.
At the time of her death, Prof Dranzoa was the Executive Committee chairperson of the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), an association of top higher learning institutions in the East African Region.
The late professor, who rose from a humble background in a tiny village of Adua, in the Moyo district, has been spearheading the University since its inception in 2014.
Having become the first female professor to come from the West Nile Region, Prof. Dranzoa was installed officially as the university’s Vice-Chancellor on 4th November 2017 on the same date that marked the University’s 1st graduation ceremony.
Brief Profile & Background
Born in 1967, in what was known as Moyo District at the time, Prof. Christine Dranzoa was a revered university professor, academic administrator, biologist, terrestrial ecologist, and community leader.
She graduated with a Bachelors degree of Science (BSc) in Zoology, obtained in 1987, from Makerere University. She also held the degree of Master of Science (MSc), in Zoology, obtained in 1991, also from Makerere University. Her degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology was obtained from the same university in 1997.
Prof Drazoa also had about half a dozen certificates in management, conservation, and project planning from Ugandan and International institutions.
Tributes our in
Moyo District Secretary for Production and Natural Resources, Mr Sam Asusi, said: “I have just received a call from Dr Iddi Franklin Amuli that our sister Prof Christine Dranzoa has gone to be with the Lord. Let us pray for her and the family and our financial and material support is needed so that we can give her a befitting send off. It is an unfortunate moment for us in the Madi sub-region because our pride and glory has gone too soon.”
Former MP for Ayivu Division in Arua City, Mr Benard Atiku, who worked closely with the late Professor in the establishment of the University, said: “It is very disturbing news. I am deeply saddened.”
Dr George Bhoka, the Obongi County Member of Parliament said: “We have lost an educationist icon at a time when she has started laying a firm foundation for public university education at Muni University in West Nile. The University and nation will surely miss her leadership services. Her legacy will live for perpetuity.”
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