Professor Livingstone Sserwadda Luboobi, a distinguished mathematician, former Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, and towering figure in Ugandan academia, died at the age of 80.
His passing was confirmed by the current Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, who described him as “a leader who guided the university through a critical period of transformation and growth.”
“His contributions to academia and leadership at Makerere will be remembered with great respect and admiration. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Prof. Nawangwe posted on X.
Prof. Luboobi passed away at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted for several weeks.
He served as Makerere’s Vice Chancellor from 2004 to 2009, succeeding Prof. John P. M. L. Ssebuwufu and preceding Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba.
His tenure was marked by far-reaching institutional reforms, increased academic collaboration, and significant infrastructure development.
Born on December 25, 1944, in Mitondo village, Kalisizo (now Kyotera District), Prof. Luboobi rose from modest beginnings to become one of Uganda’s most celebrated scholars.
After early education at Matale, Kakoma, and Kako Junior schools, he joined Ntare School for O-Levels, where he emerged as the second-best student in the country.
He then completed his A-Levels at Makerere College School before earning a First Class BSc in Mathematics from Makerere University (then under the University of East Africa) in 1970.
He pursued postgraduate studies abroad, earning an MSc in Operations Research from the University of Toronto in 1972 and a PhD in Applied Mathematics (Biomathematics) from the University of Adelaide in 1980.
His doctoral work focused on developing mathematical models for managing insect populations in stored cereals.
A pioneer of biomathematics in Africa, Prof. Luboobi made groundbreaking contributions to mathematical epidemiology, particularly in modeling the spread and control of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, Ebola, and Rift Valley fever.
He was the founding president of the African Society for Biomathematics and a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences.
His academic career at Makerere spanned decades, beginning as a tutorial assistant during his undergraduate studies and rising to full professorship by 1997.
He served as Head of the Department of Mathematics (1990–1991) and Dean of the Faculty of Science (1994–2001), before ascending to the university’s top leadership role.
As Vice Chancellor, Prof. Luboobi spearheaded the development of the 2000–2005 Strategic Plan, launched the Private Sector Forum, and helped secure UGX 30 billion in institutional funding from NORAD.
In 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bergen for his role in strengthening international academic cooperation.
Even after retirement, his devotion to academia remained unwavering. He continued to supervise graduate students free of charge, stating, “I have given half of my life to this institution.”
Prof. Luboobi also held teaching and research roles abroad, including at the Universities of Toronto and Dar es Salaam, a Fulbright stint at UC Berkeley, and visiting professorships at Strathmore University and the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology in Tanzania.
Despite his stellar achievements, Prof. Luboobi remained humble and unassuming. When he was appointed Vice Chancellor, New Vision ran the headline: “Little-known Lugoloobi takes Muk’s top post.” Known for his trademark Kaunda suits and modest black shoes, he once remarked, “I am not one of those who go around showing off. I’m more of a classroom teacher.”
He defeated Prof. Elly Katunguka—now Vice Chancellor of Kyambogo University—to secure the top job at Makerere.
His contributions went beyond academia. In 2013, during Uganda’s 51st Independence anniversary celebrations, President Yoweri Museveni awarded him a national medal for outstanding service.
Prof. Luboobi humbly credited mentors like the late Prof. Senteza Kajubi for guiding his journey.
However, his tenure was not without controversy. Like many university leaders, he faced criticism over financial and administrative challenges.
The process to select his successor sparked tensions, drawing in then-Ministers Mwesigwa Rukutana and Namirembe Bitamazire to mediate.
Yet even in turbulent times, he remained a voice of calm and wisdom. At Makerere’s centenary celebrations, Prof. Luboobi urged staff to stay grounded and introspective.
“Please do not think you are always the best, or that you always direct in the best possible way,” he warned.
Tributes from academics, former students, and public figures have flooded social media, hailing him as a “super mathematician,” a mentor, and a soft-spoken but impactful leader.
Prof. Luboobi leaves behind a legacy of intellectual rigor, institutional growth, and quiet but powerful leadership that shaped generations of scholars and helped define Makerere’s modern trajectory.
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