Gulu University has named four senior academics as contenders for its newly established position of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (DVC-FA), marking a significant milestone in the institution’s governance structure.
In a notice dated June 22, 2026, Dr. Jerry Bagaya, Secretary of the University Search Committee, confirmed that the shortlist was approved during the committee’s fourth sitting held on June 4 and 5.
Those shortlisted include Associate Professor Collins Okello, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment at Gulu University, and Associate Professor Daniel Komakech, who heads the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training at the same institution.
Others are Associate Professor Eric Awich Ochen, Deputy Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University, and Associate Professor Godfrey Akileng, Dean of the School of Business within Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences.
The recruitment exercise is the first of its kind since Gulu University was founded in 2002, as the institution moves to establish the office of Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
Since its establishment, the university has only had a Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, a role currently held by Prof. David Okello Owiny.
The finance and administration portfolio has remained vacant for years, with earlier reports indicating that the position had not been advertised due to budgetary limitations associated with running the office.
Felista Auma, the university’s Deputy Communication Officer, said the shortlisted candidates were selected after a competitive and rigorous process that followed the advertisement of the post in May.
“She said the process was very thorough. This is a very important position, and for a long time the university did not have a Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration mainly because of financial constraints linked to sustaining such an office,” Auma said.
She added that the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing financial management and administrative functions, including planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the university’s strategic plan.
“The role is central because the office holder will coordinate financial reporting from various cost centres across the university. We are looking for a highly qualified person, which is why a PhD from a recognised university is a key requirement,” she noted.
The selection committee has scheduled Thursday for public presentations at Gulu University’s main library in Gulu City.
According to Auma, the sessions will allow stakeholders to assess the candidates’ academic credentials, leadership vision, and proposals for strengthening research, teaching, financial management, and infrastructure development.
She added that members of the public, including staff, students, and community members, will have an opportunity to interact with the candidates and ask questions during the presentations.
Founded in 2002, Gulu University is currently headed by Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru, who has served as Vice Chancellor since 2018, succeeding founding Vice Chancellor Prof. Jack Nyeko Penmogi.
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