By Mark Wamai

Who is Prof. Ddumba – Ssentamu?

I am John Ddumba Ssentamu, and I was born in 1953 in Masaka District, Uganda. I am an economist, academic, and banker. I hold a PhD in Economics from Makerere University, where I have served for over 48 years as a lecturer, professor, and administrator, including a tenure as Vice-Chancellor from 2012 to 2017. Beyond academia, I am the chairman of the Centenary Bank board of directors

Congratulations on your almost five-decade service Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu. Which Schools shaped your path to Makerere? 

Thank you. I went to Villa Maria Boys for my primary 1 to primary 5. I later joined Mugwanya Preparatory School Kabojja where I obtained a Primary 6 certificate and later St. Savio Junior School Kisubi where I obtained the Junior Primary Leaving certificate in 1966. That year (1966) the educational landscape underwent a transformation with the abolition of Primary 7 and Primary 8 which were formerly Junior I and Junior II. This change standardized the examination for entry into Senior Secondary School, marking the genesis of contemporary seven-year primary school system in Uganda. I later joined St. Mary’s College Kisubi for my O and A level Secondary education. Thereafter, I joined Makerere University where I pursued a Bachelors Degree in Economics. I was the second best student with an upper second degree, whereupon I was immediately appointed a Teaching Assistant. 

I pursued a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada and graduated in 1979. In 1993, I attained a PhD in Economics from Makerere University in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam, and the University of East Anglia, UK. As part of this collaboration, I spent six months in Dar es Salaam and four months in the UK.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu hands over the office of the Vice-Chancellor to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe in 2017

What are your major contributions as a Professor of Economics here at home and abroad?

My academic journey includes making significant contributions to the global academic community as an external examiner and consultant for universities and organizations, including the United Nations, USAID, and the Swedish Government. With approximately 30 publications to my name, my academic work spans multiple institutions across Africa and beyond, enhancing education, research, and financial services in Uganda and the region.

Growing up, what were your perceptions of Makerere and how did you end up joining the institution?

I perceived Makerere University to be the best University in the world. I did not know any other University. Makerere was known as the best university in the medical field. I joined Makerere University on Government scholarship after excelling in my Secondary education.

What were your impressions of Makerere upon arrival and what was your biggest cultural shock?

Upon arrival, I was very fascinated by the University. They had very impressive buildings and very good lecturers.  The Main Building was a sight to behold. The biggest cultural shock was that I had to manage my time. There was no one to push me to attend lectures. I had to identify right from wrong without any guidance.

What inspired your choice of academic programme and how did you cope up with it?

Economics was my best subject at A-Level. My desire was to be an accountant, but I ended up performing very well in Economics and this shaped my career path. I didn’t find any challenges with the programme. I emerged as the second-best student in the first Principals of Microeconomics test we did. At Makerere, my only focus was on studies, and I therefore excelled. I can say I didn’t find the subject challenging because I loved it right from secondary school. Although in secondary school, I was involved in too many activities that were distracting, such as House Prefect, Head of the Dancing Club and Drama, in Makerere I didn’t get involved in such extra mural activities which enabled me to concentrate on my studies full time.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu, Chairman Centenary Group hands over a UGX 52 million dummy cheque to Makerere in support of its centennial celebrations.

Who were your mentors and what did they share with you that stood out and inspired you throughout your life/career?

All my lecturers were good. However, the lecturer that stood out the most for me was Dr. Ezra Suruma.  He encouraged us all to do our best.

Briefly share with us your career journey after graduating from Makerere University to date

Like I told you earlier, most of my professional journey was at Makerere University. I started as a Teaching Assistant immediately after my Bachelors Degree and rose through the ranks up to Professor level. I later became Vice Chancellor on 1st September 2012. I also taught at Caltec Academy where I gained teaching experience although I am not a teacher by profession. During that time, I was well known for coaching Economics. Students came to me from various schools in the country during holidays. My name was synonymous with Economics. I also became a Head of Economics at the University in 1995 while at the same time I was a lecturer at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) and later became a caretaker Vice Chancellor at Ndejje University for two years. I was very proud of this role because I was the first Vice Chancellor to organize the inaugural graduation ceremonies at Ndejje University in 1999 and 2000.

Any other milestones?

Yes. I was a Director of the Makerere Institute of Economics from 1998 to 2004, which transformed into the Faculty of Economics and Management in 2004 and into the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) in 2010. I was founding Principal of the College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS). With the help of my colleagues, we were able to turn the department of Economics into an institute and finally a college. We were able to move from the Social Sciences building to our own structure without using the internally generated facilities. A number of colleagues would have preferred to have high allowances but sacrificed so that we could construct our own structure.

Anything else outside Makerere?

Yes. I have served as Chairman of the Council – University of Kisubi, and Vice Chairman of the Council of Mutesa I Royal University. I am the Chairman Board of Governors of Excel Insurance Company, Board Member of the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) Uganda, as well as Board Member of Microfinance African Institutions Network (MAIN), based in Lome, Togo. 

I was a member of the Finance Commission representing Africa at Caritas International (based in the Vatican) for several years. I had the opportunity to serve as the Chairman of the Academic Board for the collaborative Masters in Economics under the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), based in Nairobi Kenya. I have also served as a Board Chairman for Centenary Bank for seventeen years and currently serve as the Board Chairman for Centenary Group.

Prof. Ddumba-Ssentamu (L), with H.E Yoweri Museveni (C) and the then Chancellor, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera at Makerere University in 2015.

Yours has indeed been an amazing journey. What would you say is the greatest opportunity that Makerere accords one as a student, as a parent and as a professional?

As a student, I got the best education. The lecturers were very committed and offered good guidance. We had an opportunity to do research and think critically. We were not ‘spoon-fed’ and did our own work.

As a parent, I have realized the University is not what it used to be. There is a lot of ‘spoon-feeding’. Most of the students are not serious about their studies. Classes are overcrowded and there are hardly any tutorials.  There is need to revise the curriculum to address the changes going on in the world, for instance students need to be encouraged to be entrepreneurs as opposed to being just job seekers. This will help solve the high unemployment rates. 

As a professional, the University gave me a platform to build my career, attend conferences, and present papers in international settings. I got the opportunity to be an exchange lecturer out of Uganda and I was an external examiner in West, East and Central Africa. I got an opportunity to be a member on various Boards. 

Thank you for the interview Prof. Any parting advice to our readers? 

Thank you too for the opportunity. My parting advice is this; 

Always aspire to get useful knowledge that can enable you to face challenges in your daily lives. Always be grateful for what you have. Being calm and patient are very important qualities and finally, self-determination is very vital.