UNEB’s Mathew Bukenya dies at 89

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mathew Bukenya, the former Secretary of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), has passed away at 89 years.

The UNEB Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule confirmed the news on Monday, sharing that Bukenya had been battling health issues for some time before his peaceful passing on Sunday night.

“He has rested,” Kalule said, praising Bukenya for his dedication and exemplary service. “His legacy is marked by the great strides he made for our nation during his years at the examination body, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.”

The last public appearance of Bukenya was in July last year at the opening of new stores and an office block for UNEB in Kyambogo, where he was seen looking frail and being assisted as he walked.

Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Education in Charge of Higher Education, also paid tribute to the late Mathew Bukenya. He described Bukenya as a dedicated servant whose legacy is firmly etched in Uganda’s educational history.

Dr Muyingo praised Bukenya for his unwavering commitment to raising the standards of national examinations and noted that even during challenging times, Bukenya remained steadfast and provided essential guidance to the board.

Bukenya’s remarkable career at the helm of UNEB began in 1997 when he was appointed as the Secretary, a role he held until his retirement in 2016. His 19-year service makes him the longest-serving Secretary in the board’s history. He succeeded David Livingstone Ongom, and before Ongom, the position was held by Basil Kiwanuka. UNEB was established in 1983.

Before he was appointed UNEB Secretary, Bukenya had a distinguished career as an accountant within the board and had retired at the age of 60. However, in 1997, he was called back from retirement to lead UNEB, where he became a household name synonymous with the national examinations.

The phrase “We are going to sit Bukenya” became a common way for students to talk about their national examinations. Under Bukenya’s leadership, UNEB faced and tackled significant challenges, including the rise of examination malpractices. His tenure was marked by the privatization of the education sector and a concerted effort to combat examination leakages.

Thanks to his and his team’s efforts, they did their best and managed to significantly reduce these malpractices and uphold the integrity of the examination process. Despite his achievements, Bukenya’s last days at UNEB were fraught with challenges as he clashed with the board chairperson, Fagil Mandy. Their protracted disputes continued for some years, and in the end, both Bukenya and Mandy left their respective roles.

Bukenya’s retirement saw Dan Nokrach Odongo, his Deputy Secretary for Secondary Education, take over the role. The recent UNEB Act amendments have also brought a change in the title from Executive Secretary to Executive Director.

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URN