Makerere’s Youngest Professor Banadda Succumbs to COVID-19

Makerere University’s youngest professor Noble Ephraim Banadda has this Friday morning succumbed to COVID-19.

Banadda,46, was a Professor of Biosystems Engineering at Makerere University, a position he attained in 2012 at the age of 37, making him the youngest person in the history of the university to attain full professorship.

He was also a Head of Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in the School of Food Technology, Nutrition and Bio-engineering at Makerere.

Makerere University Academic Staff Association (MUASA) chairman, Dr Deus Kamunyu Muhwezi has eulogized late Noble Banadda as a noble man who was an inspiration to the institution.

"Noble was a member of MUASA fraternity for only 10 years but has made remarkable contribution to his field of teaching and inquiry. He has contributed to a number of innovations that have assisted in the advancement of agricultural and food systems in Uganda and beyond. He has been a Visiting Scholar and Professor at many reputable universities in the world and his works are recognised. By all standards, Professor Banadda was a noble man and MUASA has lost its pride's most promising member and we will sincerely miss him. Makerere University, Uganda and Africa have also lost their golden son,” Dr Kamunyu said.

Prof Banadda was the first African to receive the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Pius XI Award (2018). He was a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (2013) and Fellow of Global Young Academy (2013). In 2014 Noble was honored by the World Economic Forum as a Young Scientist at an Annual Meeting of New Champions. Noble was also a Chair of Contracts Committee of Makerere University, a member of Senate and a Council member for a short period.

He has chaired several committees in the university and has been working with MUASA to ensure that the Staff Health Insurance Scheme Contract is competitively reviewed to the benefit of staff and their families.

READ MORE: Makerere’s Prof. Banadda wins Shs1.4bn annual grant to research waste management