Meet Kyambogo’s first university chancellor
Feb 19, 2005
HIS curriculum vitae reflects a man, who has lived his dream. He is smart, tall and well built, cutting a figure of a man who could send a roof flying when he speaks.
By Arthur Baguma
HIS curriculum vitae reflects a man, who has lived his dream. He is smart, tall and well built, cutting a figure of a man who could send a roof flying when he speaks.
Eng Dr Eric Tiyo Sekebuka Adriko, the first chancellor of Kyambogo University, spots a shy, but fatherly smile. He speaks in a low, but elaborate tone punctuated by gestures.
“I have known Adriko since the 70s. He is a brilliant man with an excellent academic record. He is an honest and decent man. In fact his honesty and straight forwardness failed him to continue serving in mainstream politics,†Prof Mondo Kagonyera, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office observes.
He has had a successful career as a politician, civil servant and academician. Adriko was inaugurated the first chancellor of Kyambogo University, on February 11, by President Yoweri Museveni.
“The appointment is a cutting edge in my career spanning over 30 years. I will facilitate teamwork to enhance the image of the university,†Adriko said in his maiden speech.
Kyambogo University is a merger of former Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education (ITEK) and Uganda National Institute for Special Education (UNISE).
Adriko is not going to Kyambogo as a stranger. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the former (UPK).
“I want to make Kyambogo a market driven institution in the world of academia. Translating the fruits of higher education into tangible benefits for the betterment of society is a challenge I will strive to address,†Adriko asserts confidently.
His private office located at his home in Kololo is as humble as his personality. A few files, a computer and tables stand out in the spacious room. Donning a navy-blue suit, the bald headed man of dark complexion looks reserved. Adriko exudes an aura of confidence, but it has been a long journey to the top.
The first born in a polygamous family of 14, almost bid farewell to the blackboard after his Primary Leaving examinations. He had an option of enrolling for secondary or teacher training. His father wanted him to enroll for the latter. “Teachers and kalanis (clerks) were highly treasured. My father thought that should be my destiny,†Adriko reminisces.
But Adriko’s grandmother, Raseli Ibi, opposed the idea of foregoing secondary education. Under her care she had seen Adriko grow into a responsible and bright child at a tender age. Denying him a chance to continue with secondary education would be a direct ticket to failure in life.
Her decision did not only produce a pioneer graduate of engineering, but also a politician of all times and founder of West Nile Distillers, a spirits company. “I have known him to be a perfectionist, a technocrat with leadership traits,†says a secretary at Adriko’s company.
“At school he was open and generous. He was social but had a craving for books and never missed classes. His life has rotated around two attributes maturity and determination,†says Dr Sam Nsamba, a former classmate.
Adriko is a member of several professional associations at both national and international levels.
“He has been a successful entrepreneur. As a mechanical engineer he established Adriko and Associates consulting engineers,†remarks a colleague. He served on several commissions of inquiry including chairing the Commission of inquiry into Uganda Airlines in 1978. In 1976, he was director Bank of Uganda.
At Mvara Junior, he was awarded a Junior Leaving Certificate and promoted to senior secondary under local government scholarships. His journey to Budo was painful.
Adriko travelled for one week from Arua by water and road with his mattress and suitcase. The tiring journey is not something he would stand again. He had to find a way of avoiding frequent journeys upcountry at every end of term. Dr Nsamba, his first friend at school came to his rescue. He married the late Mary Wangari in 1966 in England.
The couple was blessed with five children including Moses Adriko, the president of Uganda Law Society.
Adriko's career at a glance
1954 Jiako Primary School
1955 Mvara Junior School
1957 Joined Kings College, Budo
1960 Best O’ Level student
1962 Best A’ Level student
1963 Joined Queen Mary College, London for BSc.Engineering
1966 Best student at Queen Mary College
1970 Founder and head of Faculty of Technology, Makerere University
1972 Member of the East African Legislative Assembly
1989 Member of Uganda Constitutional Commission, NRC rep. for Vurra, Minister of Industry
1991- 1994 Minister of Lands, Minister of Public Service, Second deputy Prime Minister
1998-2000 Captain Uganda Golf Club
2005 Appointed first Chancellor of Kyambogo University
HIS curriculum vitae reflects a man, who has lived his dream. He is smart, tall and well built, cutting a figure of a man who could send a roof flying when he speaks.
Eng Dr Eric Tiyo Sekebuka Adriko, the first chancellor of Kyambogo University, spots a shy, but fatherly smile. He speaks in a low, but elaborate tone punctuated by gestures.
“I have known Adriko since the 70s. He is a brilliant man with an excellent academic record. He is an honest and decent man. In fact his honesty and straight forwardness failed him to continue serving in mainstream politics,†Prof Mondo Kagonyera, a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office observes.
He has had a successful career as a politician, civil servant and academician. Adriko was inaugurated the first chancellor of Kyambogo University, on February 11, by President Yoweri Museveni.
“The appointment is a cutting edge in my career spanning over 30 years. I will facilitate teamwork to enhance the image of the university,†Adriko said in his maiden speech.
Kyambogo University is a merger of former Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education (ITEK) and Uganda National Institute for Special Education (UNISE).
Adriko is not going to Kyambogo as a stranger. He was a member of the Board of Governors of the former (UPK).
“I want to make Kyambogo a market driven institution in the world of academia. Translating the fruits of higher education into tangible benefits for the betterment of society is a challenge I will strive to address,†Adriko asserts confidently.
His private office located at his home in Kololo is as humble as his personality. A few files, a computer and tables stand out in the spacious room. Donning a navy-blue suit, the bald headed man of dark complexion looks reserved. Adriko exudes an aura of confidence, but it has been a long journey to the top.
The first born in a polygamous family of 14, almost bid farewell to the blackboard after his Primary Leaving examinations. He had an option of enrolling for secondary or teacher training. His father wanted him to enroll for the latter. “Teachers and kalanis (clerks) were highly treasured. My father thought that should be my destiny,†Adriko reminisces.
But Adriko’s grandmother, Raseli Ibi, opposed the idea of foregoing secondary education. Under her care she had seen Adriko grow into a responsible and bright child at a tender age. Denying him a chance to continue with secondary education would be a direct ticket to failure in life.
Her decision did not only produce a pioneer graduate of engineering, but also a politician of all times and founder of West Nile Distillers, a spirits company. “I have known him to be a perfectionist, a technocrat with leadership traits,†says a secretary at Adriko’s company.
“At school he was open and generous. He was social but had a craving for books and never missed classes. His life has rotated around two attributes maturity and determination,†says Dr Sam Nsamba, a former classmate.
Adriko is a member of several professional associations at both national and international levels.
“He has been a successful entrepreneur. As a mechanical engineer he established Adriko and Associates consulting engineers,†remarks a colleague. He served on several commissions of inquiry including chairing the Commission of inquiry into Uganda Airlines in 1978. In 1976, he was director Bank of Uganda.
At Mvara Junior, he was awarded a Junior Leaving Certificate and promoted to senior secondary under local government scholarships. His journey to Budo was painful.
Adriko travelled for one week from Arua by water and road with his mattress and suitcase. The tiring journey is not something he would stand again. He had to find a way of avoiding frequent journeys upcountry at every end of term. Dr Nsamba, his first friend at school came to his rescue. He married the late Mary Wangari in 1966 in England.
The couple was blessed with five children including Moses Adriko, the president of Uganda Law Society.
Adriko's career at a glance