Message of condolence: Professor Livingstone Sserwadda Luboobi
The RUFORUM Network is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Professor Livingstone Sserwadda Luboobi, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University (2004-2009) and inaugural Board Chair of RUFORUM.
Professor Luboobi’s tenure as the Board Chair was marked by his commitment towards academic excellence, his leadership and vision were foundational in the establishment of our network which has now grown to 175 member universities across 40 countries in Africa. The RUFORUM network works in collaboration with other university networks, development partners and policymakers in order to deliver scientific solutions for sustainable development, human capital development, and institutional reform in the African Higher Agricultural Education (HAE) systems.
His foresight laid the groundwork for hosting RUFORUM in Uganda and finding a home for the Secretariat at Makerere University, as well as establishing course work-based PhD programmes now offered in seven (7) member universities across Africa, namely;
| PhD Agricultural Rural Innovations | Makerere University | Uganda |
| Sokoine University of Agriculture | Tanzania | |
| Egerton University | Kenya | |
| PhD Food Science & Nutrition | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology
|
Kenya |
| PhD Soil & Water Management | Sokoine University of Agriculture | Tanzania |
| PhD Aquaculture & Fisheries Science | Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural Resources | Malawi |
| PhD Agricultural Resource Economics | Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural Resources | Malawi |
| PhD Plant Breeding & Biotechnology Programmes | Makerere University | Uganda |
| PhD Dryland Resource Management Programme | University of Nairobi | Kenya |
| PhD Agroecology & Food Systems | Uganda Martyrs University | Uganda |
| MSc Agrometeorology & Natural Risk Management
|
Haramaya University | Ethiopia |
| MSc Monitoring & Evaluation | Uganda Martyrs University | Uganda |
| MSc Agricultural Information & Communication Management | Egerton University | Kenya |
| Haramaya University | Ethiopia | |
| University of Nairobi | Kenya
|
|
| MSc Plant Breeding & Seed Systems | Makerere University | Uganda |
| University of Zambia
|
Zambia | |
| MSc Research Methods | Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology | Kenya |
Professor Luboobi’s passion for education will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege to work with him as he was a fountain of counsel in the development of higher education in Africa.
As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his remarkable legacy and impact he has made on African higher education. He will be dearly missed, not only for his leadership but also for his kindness and dedication to nurturing the potential of others. Our thoughts and prayers are with his grieving family, friends, associates, colleagues and all those touched by his remarkable life.
May his soul rest in perfect peace.
