Prof. Kateregga’s Near Death Experience Sparks Radical Changes at Kampala University

(Kampala) – Kampala University Vice Chancellor and founder, Professor Badru Kateregga, has revealed shocking details about a life threatening ordeal in which he was held unconscious and incommunicado for several days in one of his homes.

Prof. Kateregga, a prominent Ugandan academic and entrepreneur, made the revelation during a virtual address to Kampala University students on Friday as they prepared for end of year examinations. He described the incident as a deliberate attempt on his life and expressed gratitude to his children for their swift intervention that saved him.

“I thank all my children, both local and in the diaspora, for rescuing me from the claws of death within my house where I had been deliberately rested incommunicado while unconscious for several days,” Kateregga said.

Though he refrained from naming the perpetrators or specifying the location of the incident, he disclosed that his health became a matter of national and international concern, necessitating an emergency skull surgery on September 9, 2024.

Kateregga credited his survival to divine intervention, remarking, “Allah gave me a new lease of life, earning me the title Kawonawo.” He also extended his appreciation to medical teams from the International Hospital Kampala (IHK) and other facilities for their prompt action and continuous care.

During his address, Kateregga announced sweeping changes within Kampala University and its affiliated campuses.

In a significant move, his wife, Jolly Kateregga, was removed from her position as Director of Finance and Marketing. Her role was restructured under the Vice Chancellor’s office. Kateregga urged the university community to adapt to the changes, quipping, “Please embrace the changes, or else change will change you,” eliciting laughter from students.

Additional appointments were also made:

New Appointment	Role
Stella Nabukenya	Chief Accountant
Zaina Nandawula	Deputy University Accountant
Augustine Mugalu	Dean of Students and Estate Manager
Esther Apagi	National Coordinator for Marketing
Jackson Wasswa	Deputy Estates Manager, Luweero Campus

Kateregga emphasized that more vacancies would be filled as the university continues its restructuring process.

The Vice Chancellor’s announcement follows recent developments in which he introduced his children as advisors to Kampala University during a public event at the Jinja campus in October. He assured attendees, including Buganda’s Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, that his children would play a critical role in the university’s future management.

University lecturers recently met Kateregga’s children, represented by Rashidah, Sarah, and Muhammad Faquih Kateregga. According to the university’s spokesman, Julius Ssekatawa, the meeting left lecturers optimistic about the institution’s direction.

“The lecturers were impressed by the new leadership’s openness to innovation, emphasis on collaboration, and commitment to fostering a supportive academic environment. It aligned well with their aspirations for academic excellence and student-centred growth,” said Ssekatawa.

Kateregga, who hails from Kabasanda in Butambala District, has a distinguished academic background. After attending Kabasanda Primary School and Kibuli Secondary School, he pursued higher education at Makerere University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Religious Studies, and Philosophy. He later obtained a Master of Arts degree from the University of London and was awarded a Doctor of Letters degree by Kampala University in 2010.

In addition to his academic achievements, Kateregga was appointed Chief Scout of Uganda in 2022, succeeding Professor Maggie Kigozi.

The professor concluded his address by wishing students success in their exams and reaffirming his commitment to the university’s growth and transformation.