Who is Dr Lawrence Muganga?
I was born in Butaleja. My mother is Immaculate Kayonga and my dad is Ronald Kayonga and they are farming parents. I went through primary school in Masaka and later went to secondary school in Buloba for a year.
I ended up at Mende Kalema SS, where I finished my O-level and for HSC I went to St Charles Lwanga SS Kasasa in Masaka, but passed my exams very highly.
I was admitted in Makerere on government sponsorship for my bachelor’s degree then later came back for a master’s degree in Economics again in Makerere. I also hold master’s in Education and a PhD in Education from University of Alberta [Canada], which greatly explains my current position of vice chancellor of Victoria University.
So, are you Rwandan or Ugandan?
I am now only Canadian. However, I grew up in Uganda like any other child and I am a Ugandan too. It is just that when I graduated, I went to Kenya, worked there for like three months, came back to Uganda, went to Rwanda and got a job in Rwanda Revenue Authority.
It was hard to work as an expatriate, but also having roots there, I had a sister who took me to what could be the equivalent of LC-I to get a letter that would enable me to get Rwandan papers. So, I got the Rwandan papers and worked as a national there, but after some time working there, came back to Uganda for my master’s degree in Economics that was funded by Makerere University, World Bank and African Capacity Foundation.
After that master’s degree, I went to Addis Ababa, worked there for about two years, then returned to Rwanda, worked there briefly, then came back to Uganda and went to Canada to pursue my studies. While in Canada, eventually I became a citizen.
The Rwandan passport I had expired, the Ugandan passport expired, but the two countries have clauses. For example, the Rwandan immigration law says if you acquire another nationality, you have to inform the Rwandan embassy within 90 days that you are going to acquire another citizenship.
If you don’t, your citizenship or nationality expires by default; so, that is how I lost the Rwandan citizenship and I didn’t know that also Uganda had that law somewhere – when you are about to get another citizenship, you have to inform the immigration board of Uganda for clearance, some certification for you to be able to get something like dual citizenship. I didn’t know that.
And now you are a vice chancellor! Well done!
I dreamt one day that I would be one of the top administrators. I walked 20 kilometers to and 20 kilometers back to finish primary seven and I performed very well; so, you don’t give up on yourself, you don’t write yourself off, you always have to believe that better days are ahead, that good things are about to show up. I have been an educator even when I had not started teaching anyone.
What makes you unique from other vice chancellors?
The university I am managing is one that advocates and implements experiential learning, authentic learning, work-integrated learning.
When you come to Victoria University as a student – let me say the student’s name is Edward – we are going to ask you, Edward what is your interest, what is your passion, what are your natural abilities, tell us about your strength, where do you see Edward in 10 years… then we are going to create a profile for you, so we have an education formula, which promotes employability.
You can be in the same class with 100 people but your assignments are different, because they match with your interest; your projects can be different depending on your interests. We provide personalized learning, unique education.
Your recent arrest was quite sensational! Who could be against you?
It was competition from other actors who do the same things we do, provide the same services we provide. They had conspired to do something like that, but I am not worried.
You know when you’re doing good things, you’re going to step on other people’s toes for you to be able to move to the right direction. I am requesting my colleagues in the sector that it is better for us to work together; the young people that we are developing are not mine and they are not yours. They are human capital for this country.
What are your hobbies?
I love soccer. I love playing saxophone, and most importantly, reading. Reading for me is a life changer. Another hobby – and I look at it as a hobby – is loving my children. My children are everything I see as wealth [Dr Muganga has seven children with his wife Eve].
What are your chilling spots in Uganda?
Every Sunday I enjoy visiting my mum. I go there, we go to her farm, move around her gardens, we talk, we catch up… sometimes I do it in trying to give back time she spent taking care of me, sacrificing her life for us.
Is Sudhir Ruparelia [his boss at Victoria University] your role model?
Yes, he is a role model. I want to be like him. Dr Sudhir has accomplished so much in his business empire; he may be employing around 20,000 people.
When we study PhD, we say when you contribute to the body of knowledge, then you deserve to be awarded a doctorate; this gentleman has worked so hard to impact society in every work you can really use, employed people, paid taxes…
Moving on, who are your best musicians and comedians?
Comedians, let’s start there; they are quite many but I will go for Reign and Mawulana. But there is also another young man I just like him; he is called Uncle Mo [Moses Kiboneka], he is great, his creativity is amazing. Then in terms of music there is the Baninas; those guys are my favourite artistes. But even Sheebah.
Who is your best politician and why?
You know politicians are very funny; they change every day but I admire the character of Gen Mugisha Muntu; he is a very solid man, but make no mistake, personally I will tell you President Museveni. I just admire his focus and ability to have a plan and he makes sure he accomplishes it and his ‘never give up’ spirit.
Your bodyguard is female as we saw recently…
Actually I have four, not one. I have three males and one female.
Oh! The female one put up a spirited fight that day! What are your talents, doc?
Soccer is one, but I am good at writing. I am also good at chess, but those are games. The other talent I have is to teach; you can have it as a profession, but I am so good at delivering information [a calling, some will say].
You can wake me up any time and tell me there is this subject, please go and teach, and I will just walk to a class and start teaching. I was born to teach.
Hmmm… between Andrew Mwenda and Frank Gashumba, who is your best friend?
Actually, you would be surprised, Andrew Mwenda is a member of my university council. We talk when we are in council, we don’t just talk often. I think he is a man who cares about justice for the innocent, I think that is how he comes in.
He is just a very good man and I am forever grateful to him. Then Frank Gashumba is my very good friend; we interact very closely often, but when you talk about the arrest incident, there are so many other people that you can talk about: Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, journalists, social media people, members of parliament like Hon Mbwatekamwa… But make no mistake, his excellency the President Kaguta Museveni… had it not been him, I don’t know that I would be here.
The way you admire Museveni, would you vote for him in 2026?
I can vote for a Museveni who is even in coma or on oxygen as long as the doctors confirm to me that he is still alive, but again I don’t know if he is coming.
I will cross that bridge when I reach it. I don’t know who is coming but I have told you as long as he is still running and he is interested, I will vote for him because of what he did for my family.
Are you planning to stand for any political office?
No, I was born to teach. I am an educator, I am still comfortable with leading the university. I am passionate about creating the education model that works for you, for the kids you have or you will have, works for your brother or sister, works for every Ugandan…an education model that, when you complete your degree, you don’t have to run around looking for a job. Either you are in a job or you have created one; that is the leadership and I am still enjoying it.
What do you want to be remembered for?
I see myself in the next five years still a vice chancellor of Victoria University but having taken it to a level where it is not only the top experiential learning leading university in Uganda but a university that is solving society’s problems. If I can achieve that, I will have accomplished my job and will forever be grateful to God.
mwanjedavid3@gmail.com
