Badru Kiggundu
Badru Malimbo Kiggundu is a Ugandan civil engineer, academic and consultant, who serves as the chairman of the presidential select committee responsible for the supervision of the successful completion of both Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station and Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station. He was appointed to that position by Yoweri Museveni, the president of Uganda in August 2016.[1] He concurrently serves as the Chairman of the board of directors of National Water and Sewerage Corporation. He was appointed to that position on 20 July 2020, replacing Christopher Ebal, whose contract expired.[2]
Badru Kiggundu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Badru Kiggundu 1945 (age 74–75) |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico (BSc in Civil Engineering) (PhD in Geomaterials) Carnegie Mellon University (MSc in Civil Engineering) |
| Occupation | Civil Engineer, Academic and Consultant |
| Years active | Since 1971 |
In the past, from 2002 until 2016, he served as the chairman of the Electoral Commission of Uganda, for 14 consecutive years.[1][3]
Background and education
He was born in 1945 to the late Hajji Yonus Luswa, (d. 1997) and the late Hajati Kabugo Namatovu (d. 2006). Kiggundu is one of the 23 children fathered by Hajji Luswa.[3][4]
He attended Kabasanda Primary School for his elementary schooling. He then transferred to Kibuli Secondary School for his O-Level studies. In late 1964, he won a full scholarship from the government of Buganda, to pursue his A-Level studies at Nabumali High School in Mbale District, graduating from there in 1965.[3][4]
Another scholarship saw him enroll in the University of New Mexico, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He continued his studies at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating from there in 1971, with a Master of Science in civil engineering. Later, in 1981, he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of New Mexico.[3][4]
Career in the United States
For a period of six years, from 1971 until 1977, Badru Kiggundu served as an engineer and executive with the National Housing and Construction Company, a government parastatal company, where he was responsible for road construction.[3][4]
After completing his doctoral studies in 1981, he was hired by the University of New Mexico as a research scientist, working in that capacity for six years. In 1987, Auburn University in Alabama, hired him as a research program manager and Assistant Professor in civil engineering. He worked in that capacity until 1988, when he returned to Uganda.[4]
Career in Academa
Kiggundu worked in the private construction industry for two and one half years, after his return to Uganda in 1988. In 1991, Makerere University, hired him as a member of the academic staff in the department of civil engineering. In 1993, he rose to the rank of head of department. From 1999 until 2002, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Technology. He left Makerere in 2002 at the rank of Associate Professor.[3][4]
Career at the Electoral Commission
During the fourteen years that Kiggundu spent at the helm of Uganda Electoral Commission, the commission oversaw three general elections, in 2006, 2011 and 2016. In 2006 and 2016, the presidential election results were challenged in Uganda's Supreme Court, but in both cases, the Court ruled in favor of the incumbent president, Yoweri Museveni.[5]
Career as chairman of committee on dams
In August 2016, Engineer Kiggundu was appointed by the president of Uganda to chair a seven-person committee to oversee the completion of two hydroelectric power projects, that were under construction then; the 600 megawatts Karuma Hydroelectric Power Station and the 183 megawatts Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station. Other members of the committee are as illustrated in the table below.[1]
| Rank | Name | Position | Nationality | Employment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Badru Kiggundu | Chairman | Ugandan | Civil Engineer | Former Chairman UEC |
| 2 | John Berry | Vice Chairman | South African | Corporate Executive | Current CEO of Bujagali Energy Limited |
| 3 | Keith Muhakanizi | Committee Secretary | Ugandan | Civil Servant | Current Secretary to the Treasury |
| 4 | Robert Kasande | Member | Ugandan | Civil Servant | Current Permanent Secretary, Uganda Ministry of Energy |
| 5 | Harrison Mutikanga | Member | Ugandan | Corporate Executive | Current CEO of UEGCL |
| 6 | Eriasi Kiyemba | Member | Ugandan | Corporate Executive | Current CEO of UETCL |
| 7 | Francis Atoke | Member | Ugandan | Civil Servant | Current Solicitor General of Uganda |
Family
He is married and is the father of eleven children, with three consorts.[3][4]
References
- Okuda, Ivan (21 August 2016). "Kiggundu to oversee Karuma dam project". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- SoftPower (24 July 2020). "Engineer Badru Kiggundu Unveiled As New Chairperson Of NWSC Board". Kampala: SoftPower Uganda. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
- Simon Kasyate (9 November 2015). "Engineer Kiggundu talks brewing kwete and lucky life". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- Baker Batte Lule (14 November 2016). "Dr Badru Kiggundu on his life journey, and that kitchen smoke". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
- Wassajja, Nicholas (1 September 2016). "Ugandans should be grateful for EC - Kiggundu". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
External links
- Government did NOT fire Isimba owners engineer As of 15 September 2017.