John Ekudu Adoku: Makerere’s former Dean of Students bows out at 78

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Former Makerere University Dean of Students, John Ekudu Adoku, has died at the age of 78, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in education, faith, and community service.

Family sources confirmed that Ekudu succumbed to complications related to diabetes and kidney disease. Born in 1948 to the late Rev. Yosamu Adoku and Jojina Apajo Adoku of Bira, Alwa Sub-county in present-day Kaberamaido District, he rose to become one of the most influential student affairs administrators at Makerere University.

He is survived by his wife, Grace Ekudu-Adoku, four children, Paul Ekudu, Charity Ekadu, Faith Ekadu, and Hope Ekudu and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tributes from family and colleagues describe him as a principled, disciplined, and compassionate man devoted to both God and humanity. “He was a loving father and a God-fearing man who gave counsel and mentorship to many,” Charity Ekudu said.

His cousin, Lawrence Adoku Ebamu, remembered him as “a very faithful man of integrity, corruption-free and a lover of humanity.”

During his tenure at Makerere, Ekudu mentored generations of students, earning admiration for his firm but caring leadership. 

Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor, paid tribute, saying: “John Ekudu Adoku was a pillar in student affairs. His commitment to nurturing responsible and value-driven graduates will be remembered for generations.”

After retiring, Ekudu remained deeply engaged in academia, ministry, and social development. He served in leadership roles across several institutions, including Kumi University, Livingstone International University in Mbale, and African Renewal University in Buloba, while also contributing to regional and international Christian initiatives.

He also ventured into agriculture, establishing a model coffee plantation in Opiro village and engaging in pineapple growing. Kaberamaido District Agriculture Officer Samuel Etwomu said Ekudu’s work inspired many farmers. “He was among the first to add value to coffee locally. His resilience, even in the face of losses, taught us perseverance,” he said.

Kaberamaido District Chairperson Victor Rex Ekesu described him as “a compassionate mentor whose influence will continue to be felt across generations.”

Makerere mourns

Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Makerere’s Vice Chancellor, described Ekudu as “a devoted servant  whose calm leadership and steadfast commitment to student welfare helped shape generations of graduates.”

He added, “We mourn the loss of a colleague and mentor whose counsel and dedication to this university went beyond duty; his legacy will remain an enduring part of our community.” Prof. Nawangwe also extended the university’s condolences to Ekudu’s family, friends, and all who were touched by his service at Makerere University.

Burial Programme

A funeral service will be held at Kampala Baptist Church in Nankulabye on March 29, 2026, at 2:30pm, with burial scheduled for March 31 in Kaberamaido District.

In a brief eulogy, the family described him as “a man of deep faith and quiet strength whose legacy of love, humility, and purpose will continue to inspire all who knew him.”

Biography

For decades,  Ekudu was a steady and familiar presence at Makerere University, guiding generations of students through both academic life and personal challenges. Best known for his long tenure as Dean of Students, Ekudu combined firm administration with pastoral care, earning respect across Uganda’s oldest university.

Born in 1948 in Kaberamaido District, Ekudu joined Makerere University in the early 1970s as a student, graduating in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Zoology alongside a Diploma in Education.

His early years coincided with a turbulent period in Uganda’s history, when many academics had fled the country. Like a number of his contemporaries, Ekudu stepped into teaching and administrative roles, helping to sustain the institution during difficult times.

Over the years, he rose through the ranks, serving as a warden and later senior warden before being appointed Dean of Students in 1995. In that role, Ekudu became a central figure in student welfare, discipline, and administration.

He was particularly known for his role during student unrest, often acting as a mediator between striking students and university management. His calm demeanour and willingness to listen made him both a firm authority and a trusted confidant.

Beyond the university, Ekudu’s life has been deeply rooted in faith. He has been an active minister at Union Baptist Church, where he served as a pastor. His pastoral work mirrored his approach at Makerere, focused on guidance, reconciliation, and personal development. Colleagues and congregants alike have described him as approachable and principled, committed to nurturing both academic and spiritual growth.

After retiring from Makerere around 2010, Ekudu shifted his attention more fully to ministry and private life, including farming. His legacy at the university endures in the many students he mentored and the systems he helped shape during a critical period of institutional growth and change.

In both academia and ministry, Ekudu’s life reflects a consistent thread: service grounded in discipline, empathy, and quiet leadership.