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Soroti University has appointed renowned Ugandan scientist Prof. Patrick Engeu Ogwang as the new head of the Department of Pharmacology.
The appointment of the internationally recognised pharmacist, pharmacologist, ethnobotanist, medical researcher and entrepreneur is expected to significantly strengthen the university’s health sciences programmes and research agenda.
Until his appointment, Prof. Ogwang was serving as Associate Professor and head of the Department of Pharmacy at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). He has also built a distinguished career in pharmaceutical research and innovation, earning national recognition for his contribution to herbal medicine research.
Prof. Patrick Engeu Ogwang, the new Head of the Department of Pharmacology at Soroti University of Science and Technology.
Announcing the appointment on July 7, 2026, the university’s senior public relations officer, Juma Hassan Nyene, described Prof. Ogwang’s recruitment as a milestone for the young institution.
“We are glad to announce that we have appointed Prof. Ogwang to our mighty university as Head of the Department of Pharmacology,” Nyene said in a statement.
He added that the appointment is expected to accelerate Soroti University’s ambition of becoming a leading centre for scientific research and innovation.
“His appointment is expected to strengthen Soroti University’s research agenda, particularly in health sciences, while contributing to the university’s vision of becoming a centre of excellence in science, technology, innovation and community transformation,” the statement reads.
A son of Teso, Prof. Ogwang had been serving the university as a part-time lecturer before securing a substantive appointment in June this year.
He is among 76 members of staff recently appointed or confirmed to various positions as the university strengthens its academic, administrative and support workforce.
The University Council also confirmed Gilbert Denis Otim as the substantive University Bursar. A Certified Public Accountant and member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU), Otim had been serving in an acting capacity since the departure of Robert Magemeso. Before that, he served as deputy university bursar for eight years.
Also appointed was Samuel Omoding, who takes over as chief planning officer. Omoding joined Soroti University in 2016 as a university planner before rising through the ranks to become deputy chief planning officer. He had been serving in an acting capacity following the resignation of Samuel Otuba.
The University Council also renewed the contract of Augustine Okuku Maloba as chief human resource officer.
According to Nyene, the appointments come at a crucial time as the university expands its academic programmes, strengthens research collaborations, invests in innovation and improves infrastructure to meet the growing demand for quality higher education in Uganda and the wider East African region.
Established in June 2015, Soroti University is Uganda’s ninth public university and was founded with a specialised focus on science, technology and innovation.
Vice President Jessica Alupo awards one of the outstanding graduates during Soroti University of Science and Technology’s inaugural graduation ceremony held last year. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
The institution celebrated a historic milestone last year when it graduated its pioneer cohort of students. The graduation included the first Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) class admitted in the 2019/2020 academic year, the pioneer Bachelor of Nursing Science graduates from the 2019/2020 and 2021 intakes, and the first graduates in Computer and Electronics Engineering.
As the university continues to expand its academic footprint, the appointment of experienced scholars such as Prof. Ogwang is expected to boost research output, attract partnerships and strengthen Soroti University’s position as one of Uganda’s emerging centres of excellence in science and health education.
Source: NewVision.co.ug
