Professor Livingstone Serwadda Luboobi, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, has passed away. His death was confirmed this evening by close family members.
Prof. Luboobi died at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted for several weeks. He served as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University from 2004 to 2009.
An accomplished academic and mathematician, Prof. Luboobi held a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics (Biomathematics) from the University of Adelaide, Australia (1978–1980); an MSc in Applied Mathematics (Operations Research) from the University of Toronto, Canada (1971–1972); and a First Class Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Makerere University.
He also trained at the University of California, Berkeley as a Fulbright Scholar and undertook research at the University of Bergen, Norway.
During his tenure as Vice Chancellor, he championed international collaborations, enhanced institutional fundraising efforts through alumni engagement, and supported strategic investment initiatives. He was also a founding member of the Makerere University Private Sector Forum.
Born on December 25, 1944, in Kalisizo, Rakai District, Prof. Luboobi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bergen in 2008 in recognition of his contributions to internationalising the university.
In 2013, Makerere University honoured him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding service in academia and leadership.
Prof. Luboobi’s academic career began in 1970 when he joined Makerere as a Special Assistant, having served as a tutorial fellow during his undergraduate years. He was promoted to Lecturer in 1973, Senior Lecturer in 1977, Associate Professor in 1985, and Full Professor in 1997.
He served as Head of the Department of Mathematics (1990–1991) and as Dean of the Faculty of Science for two terms (1994–2001).
He also lectured at the University of Toronto and the University of Dar es Salaam, and supervised numerous MSc and Ph.D. students.
