Professor Sarah N. Ssali is the First Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of Makerere University. In the absence of the Vice Chancellor, he performs the functions of the Vice Chancellor.
Profile Sarah N. Ssali
Prof. Sarah Ssali is the current First Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs), appointed on 22nd September 2025. She is a Social Scientist with a PhD in International Health Studies from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. She has researched and published in research areas including: Public policy, Social Transformation, Gender, Global Health, Health Systems, Gender and Policy/Politics Studies, Neo-liberalism, Identities and Social Representation.
Prior to her appointment as Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sarah Ssali served Makerere University as the Ag. Director, Institute of Gender and Development Studies and Dean, School of Women and Gender Studies from 2017- 2024. She has been a Member, Makerere University Council since 2010 serving on several committees of Council including: Appointments Board, Quality Assurance, Gender Mainstreaming and ICT, Students Affairs, Staff Development, Welfare, Retirement Benefits, Audit Committee, through the different tenures of Council. Prof. Ssali has been a member of the University Senate since July 2017. She served as Vice Chairperson of Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) from 2008 to 2010.
Beyond Makerere University, she is a member of the Senate, Uganda Institute of Bankers and a member of the National Curriculum and Development Centre Governing Council.
Prof. Ssali has published more than 50 peer-reviewed papers. She has contributed book chapters to several books. She has been involved in several research projects playing different roles as Principal or co-investigator winning grants funded by UKRI, MRC, WHO and Makerere University.
Prof. Ssali has been recognized by several institutions including: Uganda National Council of Science and Technology, Uganda Broadcasting Service and Makerere University Council.
In May 2023, she was awarded the Jubilee Medal from Uganda Government.
The Office
The DVC for Academic Affairs is responsible for overseeing programmes and policies that promote academic excellence in the University; ensuring quality of academic programmes; overseeing the proper planning and coordination of undergraduate and postgraduate academic programmes; coordination of curriculum development; and ensuring optimal utilization of teaching, research and library facilities.
The DVC Academic Affairs monitors the Colleges/Faculties/Institutes/Schools, the School of Graduate Studies, the University Library, and the Department of the Academic Registrar.
Contact Information
Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs: Prof. Sarah N. Ssali
First Floor, Main Administration Building
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 532045
Fax: +256 414 533640
Email: dvcaa[at]mak.ac.ug
Senior Administrative Assistant: Ms Doreen Tazwaire
Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Academic Affairs
First Floor, Main Administration Building
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Tel: +256 414 532045
Fax: +256 414 533640
Email: doreen.tazwaire[at]mak.ac.ug