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Prof. George. B. Kirya

HomeUniversity CouncilProf. George. B. Kirya
Chairman University Council

Prof. George. B. Kirya

Professor George Barnabas Kirya is a distinguished Ugandan physician, microbiologist, academic, diplomat, and public servant whose career spans several decades and sectors. Born in 1939 at Ngora Hospital in Ngora District, Uganda, Prof. Kirya pursued his early education at Busoga College Mwiri and Mbale Secondary School. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Makerere University in 1966. He further specialized in microbiology, obtaining an MSc from the University of Birmingham in 1971 and a Diploma in Bacteriology from the University of Manchester in 1975. In recognition of his diplomatic service, the University of Birmingham awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws in 2001

Academic and Research Contributions

Prof. Kirya began his medical career at Mulago Hospital before joining the East African Virus Research Institute (now Uganda Virus Research Institute), where he became head of arbovirology. He also held academic positions at Makerere University, serving as a visiting lecturer, senior lecturer, and eventually as a professor and head of the Department of Medical Microbiology from 1978 to 1986.

Leadership and Public Service

From April 1986 to November 1990, Prof. Kirya served as Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, Uganda’s premier public university. He was appointed Uganda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2003. Upon returning to Uganda, he chaired the Uganda Health Services Commission from 2007 to 2012. He also served as Chancellor of Lugazi University between 2007 and 2011.

Ongoing Roles and Advocacy

Prof. Kirya is the Chairman of the University Council at Ernest Cook University (ECU). He has published extensively in virology, particularly arbovirology, and contributes opinion pieces on public health and education in Ugandan newspapers. He also chairs the board of THETA, a Ugandan NGO promoting collaboration between traditional and biomedical health systems