Uganda Martyrs University rewards pioneer Dons

Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi (UMU) has given appreciation awards to its founding dons and administrators in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the establishment and subsequent development of the university.

Those who received accolades included Rev Fr Prof Michel Le Jeune, the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dierdre Carabine, a pioneer lecturer and composer of the university's anthem,  Prof Charles Olweny (a former vice-chancellor), Innocent Byuma (a former academic registrar) and Dr Joseph Sekandi, a former security guard and current dean of the faculty of agriculture.

They received their accolades during the inaugural memorial lecture of Bernard Onyango (the pioneer academic registrar of UMU) at Protea Hotel in Kampala on Thursday.

The Chairman of the alumni of UMU, Ambrose Kibuuka Ssenninde said the alumni and management of the University had seen it right and just to reward outstanding pioneer dons and management officials, as one way of acknowledging the legacy of commitment, hard work and resilience that they set.

"On November 9 we shall celebrate 25 years of the existence of our University, which has achieved and done a lot for the country since its establishment. But probably we would have nothing to celebrate if it were not the efforts, commitment and sacrifices of the pioneer actors who included lecturers, students and support-staff members," Kibuuka said.

The family of the later Bernard Onyango was also given an accolade in appreciation of Onyango's excellent legacy at the university's academic registry.

The inaugural lecture of Benard Onyango was delivered by Prof. Mary Jossy Nakandha Okwakol (the vice-chancellor of Busitema University), who praised Onyango for his passion for the girl-child education and his disposition of honesty, integrity and hard work. The Memorial Lecture was one of the activities to celebrate the silver jubilee of the University, which will take place at the main campus at Nkozi on November 9, 2018.