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Dr Oruru Bosco Appointed Acting Head of the Department of Physics
Dr Oruru Bosco has been appointed Acting Head of the Department of Physics at the College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University effective 1st January 2026. Dr Oruru takes on from Dr Okello Denis who has served in the same position since January 2022. He becomes the 10th Head of Department since its establishment. His predecessors include Prof. David Thomson, Prof. John Odeke Ilukor, Prof. Eldad J.K. Banda, Prof. Ezra K.S. Mugambe, Prof. Yusto Kaahwa, Prof. Ezra M. Twesigomwe, Prof. Florence Mutonyi D’ujanga, Prof. Winston Tumps Ireeta, and Dr. Denis Okello.
Dr. Oruru holds a PhD in Physics from the University of the Free State, South Africa, an MSc in Physics from the University of the Free State, a BSc in Astrophysics and Space Science from the University of Cape Town, a BSc in Education (Physics and Mathematics) from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration and Management from Uganda Management Institute, and a Diploma in Secondary Education (Physics and Chemistry) from the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo.
He has served the Department in various capacities as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Graduate Supervisors Trainer, and Secretary of the Departmental Research and Teaching Programmes Committee. Dr. Oruru has supervised and examined several PhD, MSc, and BSc students at Makerere and other institutions, including Kyambogo University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, the South African Institute of Physics, and the University of the Free State. His research interests include accretion onto magnetized compact objects (e.g., X-ray binaries and cataclysmic variables), exotic phenomena such as gamma-ray bursts, supernovae explosions, and active galactic nuclei, African cultural astronomy, and radiation physics.
At the handover ceremony held today, 6th January 2026, Dr. Denis Okello congratulated Dr. Oruru on his appointment and expressed gratitude to the College and University administration for the support accorded to him during his tenure. He also thanked the department staff for their cooperation and commitment. “The support I received enabled me to serve successfully and build upon the achievements of my predecessors. I leave the Department in a much improved state, with well-established infrastructure, including a lecture theatre, classrooms, teaching, research, and ICT laboratories, as well as a departmental library stocked with textbooks relevant to our programmes.”
During his tenure, Dr. Okello oversaw the review of the Bachelor of Science programmes (BSCI and BSCX) to align with the competence-based curriculum. The Department also acquired 55 computers through government funding, in addition to three iPads donated through the College. Renovations were carried out on the interior and exterior of the Department. Staffing improved, with 17 teaching staff currently in place out of the approved 27 positions. Recruitment efforts continue to fill the vacant positions.
Dr Okello appealed to staff to continue working together to further strengthen the department, and pledged support to the new head.
In his remarks, Dr Oruru thanked the staff and university management for entrusting him with the leadership of the Department. ““I am delighted to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who understand their responsibilities and remain focused on our shared goals. I step into this position not merely as a leader, but as a representative of an exceptional team. With the guidance and support of my predecessors, I am confident that we will continue to uphold and build upon the department’s tradition of excellence.
The Dean, School of Physical Sciences, Dr Michael Owor commended both outgoing and incoming Heads for their commitment to the growth and success of the Department.
