Ezra Suruma

Ezra Suruma (born 11 November 1945), is a Ugandan economist, banker, and academic. He became the chancellor of Makerere University in January 2016.[1] He formerly served as a senior adviser to the president of Uganda on finance and economic planning, a position he held from 16 February 2009 until 15 January 2016.[2]

Ezra Suruma
Born (1945-11-11) 11 November 1945
Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materFordham University
(Bachelor of Science in Finance)
(Master of Arts in Economics)
Undisclosed University
(Master of Science in Computer Science)
Undisclosed University
(Master of Science in International Banking)
University of Connecticut
(Doctor of Philosophy in Economics)
OccupationEconomist
Years active1980 — present
Known forEconomics
Title Chancellor of Makerere University
Spouse(s)Mrs. Suruma

Previously, he was a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, in Washington, D. C., at the Africa Growth Initiative division of the institution. He was appointed to that position in April 2010.[3]

Background and education

He was born in Kabale District in 1945. He holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Fordham University in New York City, obtained in 1969. His Master of Arts degree in economics was obtained in 1972, also from Fordham University. His Doctor of Philosophy in economics was obtained in 1976 from the University of Connecticut. He also has a master's degree in computer science and one in international banking.[3]

Work history

Before his government and private sector work, Suruma worked as a professor of economics and management at Makerere University and at Florida A&M University. In 1987, he joined the Bank of Uganda, the country's central bank, as the director of research, serving in that capacity until 1990. From 1990 until 1993, he served as the deputy governor of the Bank of Uganda. In 1993, he left that position and joined the Uganda Commercial Bank as the chairman and managing director, serving in that capacity until 1996.[3]

In 2005, he was appointed minister of finance, planning and economic development.[4] He served in that capacity until 16 February 2009, when he was appointed senior presidential adviser on finance and economic planning.[5] The international banking magazine The Banker chose Suruma to receive the "Best Finance Minister of Africa Award" for 2008.[6]

During his time as minister of finance, he was a strong promoter of Uganda's banking industry and was instrumental in the planning and initiation of Uganda's micro finance project that helps small farmers and businesses obtain low interest loans.[7]

Personal details

Suruma is married and has four children, the eldest from his first marriage, and one grandchild. He is also raising the orphaned children of his two younger brothers. He was a shareholder in the National Bank of Commerce (Uganda) (NCBU), and was a director of the bank.[8]

NBCU was a small indigenous commercial bank that was closed by the Bank of Uganda on 27 September 2012.[9] In 2011, Suruma and other investors started UGAFODE Microfinance Limited, a Tier III, deposit-taking microfinance institution, supervised by the Bank of Uganda.[10]

References
  1. Patience Ahimbisibwe (18 January 2016). "Dr Suruma Installed Makerere Chancellor". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  2. Edward Ssekika and Sadab Kittata Kaaya (19 August 2014). "Ex Minister Suruma Slams Government Policies". The Observer (Uganda). Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  3. New Vision (24 April 2010). "Suruma Joins US Think Tank Brookings". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  4. Buufu, Emma. "Why Uganda ranks highly in tax administration | supplements".
  5. Newvision Archive (18 February 2009). "Full Cabinet List As At 18 February 2009". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 13 February 2015) on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  6. Sylvia Juuko (10 February 2020). "Suruma Wins African Minister Award". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original (Archived from the original on 2 April 2015) on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  7. Raymond Baguma and Brian Mayanja (24 February 2009). "Suruma Regrets Failing To Restructure Finance". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  8. Barbara Among (15 March 2010). "Politicians Fight Over City Bank". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  9. Robert Muhereza (27 September 2012). "BoU Takes Over Management of National Bank of Commerce". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  10. New Vision (12 July 2011). "Suruma To Start Micro-Finance Bank". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
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