Prof. Senteza Kajubi is dead

Prof. Senteza Kajubi is dead

Professor William Senteza Kajubi is dead. Kajubi, 86, passed away at his home in Bugolobi a Kampala Suburb.

The body has been taken to Mulago Hospital for a postmotem.
 
Prof. Kajubi profile
From the 1960s to 2000, William Senteza Kajubi contributed significantly to the shaping of the education system in Uganda through advocacy of his theory of education, policy formulation and leadership.

Kajubi was born in Kampala in 1926. He studied at Makerere University from 1947 to 1950.

Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Chicago in USA, where he earned a Master of Science Degree, specializing in Geography.

He then taught at Kings College Buddo for three years before becoming a lecturer and later senior lecturer at Makerer University. From 1964 -1977, he was the director of National Institute of Education at Makerere University.

In 1979 he became a professor of higher education. From 1977 and 1979 he was vice chancellor of Makerere University.

In 1986, Kajubi was appointed principal of Kyambogo Institute of Teacher Education. He served in that capacity until 1989.

The following year, in 1990, he was once again appointed vice chancellor of Makerere University. He held this position until 1993.

In 1994 he became vice chancellor of Nkumba University until his retirement in 2008.

Besides many publications to his name, he participated in various communications that shaped the education system in Uganda.

Proffesor Kajubi holds a portait showing him and the then USA president in 1965

In 1963, he was one of the 19 members of the Uganda Education Commission chaired by Professor EB Castle.

Kajubi was also a member of the education commission that resulted in the 1970 Education Act. In the 1980s, he chaired the Education Policy Review Commission, which among other things, recommended the introduction of UPE.

He has served the education sector in Uganda for over 40 years as a teacher, education policy adviser and leader of higher education institutions. He was also a consultant for national education systems in Namibia.

Kajubi and history of the national anthem
Prior to independence, a subcommittee for the creation of national anthem was set up. It was one of the three sub-committees established to deal with Uganda's national symbols.

Professor Senteza Kajubi was the chairman of the committees. The sub-committee organised a country-wide publicity campaign for original compositions. Ugandans were encouraged to submit their pieces.

Professor Senteza Kajubi with his three sets of twins

"The compositions had to be short, original, solemn, praising and looking forward to the future. They had to be harmonised in the usual four parts-soprano, alto, tenor and ass," said the late George Kakoma, the composer of the national anthem.

"Nevertheless the committee was not satisfied with the compositions. At 10 pm there was an announcement on Radio Uganda that the subcommittee for the national anthem had received several compositions but none was satisfactory. Therefore more entries were required and time was running out," recalled Kakoma."

I went to bed with a saddened heart but deeply thinking about what to offer the committee."
Prof. Senteza Kajubi contacted Kakoma and asked him to "save" the committee because they did not have a national anthem.

According to Kakoma, a strange tune rang continuously in his head at night, disrupting his sleep. He decided to wake up and put pen to paper.

"There was complete darkness in the room I was occupying. I courageously jumped out of bed, fumbled with the bag and got out what I had wanted.

I scribbled just a few words of the text, as the inspiration dictated. I got back into bed, but having already provoked my intellect. I was left rehearsing inwardly what I had already committed to paper and went on adding a few details a few details until daybreak."

In the morning, Kakoma pursued his dream.
"I sat down and looked through what I had ciphered during the night hours. I worked on those ideas till midday."

The next day he travelled to Kampala to meet Kajubi. He advised him to train a choir, and then record the song on a magnetic tape.

Kakoma said he consulted his friend, Peter Wingard, then a lecturer at Makerere Institute of Education.

They analyzed and discussed the music, and agreed on the beat.

"There was nothing to change in as far as the music transcription was concerned in all the four stanzas of harmony. The next step was to visit King's College Budo choir. When all this was accomplished, I rushed to the chairman and handed him the required recording," Kakoma recalled.

"Kakoza's tune was good but long. Kakoma's had one advantage, it was short and easy to learn," said Prof. Kajubi.

"Some members thought it was too short, so we sent the two anthems to the Cabinet. Kakoma's was selected as the national anthem."

Kakoma's tune was just one of the many entries. Other composers included the late Canon Polycarp Kakooza and Prof. Mbabi Katana.

In July 1962, Kakoma was declared the winner. It was too good to be true.

Kakoma passed away last month.

 Fact File  

1926: Kajubi was born
1947-1950: Studied at Makerere University
1964-1977: Director of National Institute of Education, Makerere University
1979: Prof. of Higher Education 
1977-1979 Vice-Chancellor, Makerere University
1986: Principal of Kyambogo Institute of Teacher Education
1990: Re-appointed Vice-chancellor, Makerere University
1994: Vice Chancellor, Nkumba University until retirement in 2008.