CoVAB celebrates the life and accomplishments of the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa

July 5, 2022 by

Brooks in News

The College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Bio Security (CoVAB) joined the rest of the Makerere University and other mourners to celebrate the life of the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa on Friday 1^st July 2022 at St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University.

The requiem mass organized in honor of the late Prof. Dranzoa attracted a number of mourners that included a representative of the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni who was the chief mourner, family, friends, colleagues from various walks of life as well as the Makerere University fraternity where the late was an alma mater and an academic member of staff for long.

Prof. Dranzoa was remembered by the clergy as a devout member of the St. Augustine community who actively participated in the varied church programs.

Numerous eulogies described the late Professor Dranzoa as the first in many respects, the first woman to get a Ph.D. and become a Professor in the West Nile Region and a renowned advocate for the girl child as well as mentor and advisor to many who were privileged to interact with her.

During her tenure at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security, (CoVAB), Prof. Dranzoa was remembered and recognized as the founder of the Wildlife Animal Resources Management (WAAM) from a small unit in the Anatomy department. The unit through her effort and zeal trained and impacted many people who are serving the nation, the region, and the world in various capacities. She also served as the Head of the department until the year 2005 when she left to serve in other capacities.

Prof. Christine Dranzoa who was remembered as an all-around Academic, Research, Ecologist, Conversationalist, and Administrator was also recognized in her role as the founder Vice-Chancellor of Muni University, one of the public universities, and degree-awarding institutions in the country located in Arua.

‘In her 56 years of age from 2^nd September 1965 to the time she died on 26^th June 2022, she left Moyo, West Nile, Uganda, Africa, and the whole world better than she found it” noted the chairperson of the organizing committee for the burial of the late Prof. Christine Dranzoa while addressing mourners during the mass, where many of condolence messages including one from CoVAB’s Principal Prof. Nobert Frank Mwiine and Dr. Nalule Sarah from the WAAM department could not be read due to the numerous condolences from organizations and individual she impacted.

She was remembered for the roles she played as Chairperson, Member, and Advisor on a number of bodies and agencies including the Forum for Women University Vice-Chancellors, Uganda Veterinary Association, Uganda National Academy of Sciences, and many more.

‘She was altruistic, a perfectionist, a pillar and dependable person and so the family has lost a pivot, said her children and other family members while giving their eulogy. ‘to you the employers of the Late Prof. Dranzoa, you have also lost a great asset’ they noted. They further commended the management and staff of Makerere University for giving the late Prof Dranzoa the opportunities that opened her doors worldwide as evidenced by the messages from many people.

The Vice-Chancellor Makerere University Prof. Barnaba Nawangwe in a condolence message read for him by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA) Prof. Umar Kakumba said the Late Prof. Dranzoa was raised and nurtured at Makerere University where she acquired her Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology in 1987, later joining as a lecturer in 1991, earning her Masters the same year and later in 1997 she got her Ph.D. in Zoology.

‘Professor Dranzoa’s service to Makerere can best be described as dedicated and impactful. She spearheaded efforts to turn the Wildlife subsection under the Department of Anatomy in the then Faculty of Veterinary Medicine into a fully-fledged Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources Management. As Head of this department, she initiated programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, whose graduates continue to make important contributions to wildlife and biodiversity conservation all over the world” it was stated a statement by Prof Nawangwe.

The Vice-chancellor said it was revealed that the Late Prof. Christine Dranzoa served as Deputy Director of the then School of Graduate Studies where she led many policy reforms including the introduction of the Doctoral Committee Supervision Model and Public Defense of Theses and Dissertations and popularized the award of joint degree programs by units of the University.

Nawangwe further noted that with her exceptional qualities, Professor Dranzoa was appointed as Chairperson of the Taskforce charged with setting up Muni University from December 2009 to May 2010 and thereafter as Vice-Chancellor where she contributed to the transformation of Muni University.

The VC extended special condolences to Muni University upon the loss of their Vice-Chancellor, senior colleague, and mentor as well as the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum upon the loss of an active and resourceful Member, in the person of the Late Prof. Dranzoa.

Other condolence messages were received from many other agencies that including the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) where the Late Prof. Dranzoa was Chairperson, and the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) where she was a Member and President Emeritus. The Nile Women Initiative where she was a co-founder and Chairperson.

Other organizations that joined the mass in celebrating the life of Prof. Christine Dranzoa included the Vice Chancellors’ Forum, National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), The Education Service Commission, UNESACO Uganda, Higher Education Financing Board, Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MOIST) and many more

In the homily by the main celebrant at the requiem mass, he noted that educated people detest God when still alive and are only forced into church when they die. He reminded the congregation that from dust they came and they would go’ if we knew that this hour would come to all of us, it’s wise that when still alive we prepare for this moment and this is what Christine did’. She was 56, she left a trail, which trail are you leaving. We should cultivate values that will prepare us to see God’ he emphasized.

PICTORIAL

Prof. Nobert Frank Mwiine Lays a wreath on the Late Prof. Christine Dramzoa’s casket during a requiem mass at St. Augustine Chapel on Friday 1st July 2022