Profile: Dr. Senyonyi, man of many hats takes over at UCU
Jun 29, 2010
He describes himself as a jack of all trades. From a marriage counselor, evangelist to university administrator, Rev Can Dr John Senyonyi is a man of different hats. The new Uganda Christian University (UCU) vice-chancellor says preaching the gospel comes first in his career.
By Joel Ogwang
He describes himself as a jack of all trades. From a marriage counselor, evangelist to university administrator, Rev Can Dr John Senyonyi is a man of different hats. The new Uganda Christian University (UCU) vice-chancellor says preaching the gospel comes first in his career.
Career
After joining UCU as a chaplain in 2001, Senyonyi has risen through the ranks. He assumes office in September, 2010 after serving as deputy vice-chancellor in-charge of development and external relations, a position he held since 2006. Since 2000, Prof. Stephen Knoll has been the UCU vice chancellor. His contract expires in August 2010.
A vice-chancellor search committee was dispatched to find Noll’s successor in October 2009, ending the search in April 2010. It sought candidates from Uganda, Africa, the Americas and Europe.
According to Dr Elizabeth Bacwayo, the search committee secretary, seven candidates vied for UCU’s top-most position and Senyonyi emerged the best.
“The responsibility I am undertaking is one I am convinced God has cut-out for me. But I need everyone’s prayers to know rightly what God wants me to do,†Senyonyi says.
Who is Dr John Senyonyi?
Senyonyi was born to Eriakimu Kajja and Efulansi in Luwero in 1956. The third child in a family of 13, 10 of whom are living, Senyonyi went to Nakasongola and Bowa Church of Uganda primary schools (1961-68).
He joined Ndejje SSS for an East African Certificate of Education (1969-72). From 1973-74, Senyonyi enrolled for an East African Advanced Certificate of education at King’s College, Buddo.
He later joined the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree. Senyonyi also holds a certificate in management from the International Institute of Management, Sydney Australia, a Masters degree in Theology from Trinity International University, USA and a doctorate of philosophy in mathematical statistics from University of Melbourne, Australia.
He is married to Ruth Nantege Senyonyi, a counseling psychologist at Bank of Uganda, with whom they have four children.
Currently, Senyonyi is the secretary of UCU Holdings Ltd, the university’s business arm, a position he has held since 2003. He is also the founding director of Family Life Network and the chairman of mission’s committee of the African’s Evangelistic Enterprise.
A female lecturer at UCU describes him as ‘a black man with white-man’s style of work.’ “He holds time management in high regard which is not the case with many Africans,†she says.
Senyonyi is also a member of the GAFCON theological working group and founding member of City Parents’ School, Mengo.
First five-years of his reign
As he takes over UCU’s mantle of leadership, Senyonyi will reign over 10,000 students, with 7,000 at the main campus in Mukono and the others at UCU’s Kabale Constituent College, Arua and Mbale regional campuses.
Senyonyi is keen on enhancing physical infrastructure that should see multi-billion investments in a science laboratory and a library. The library, named in commemoration of Hamu Mukasa, will cost $4m.
The laboratory, whose finances were drawn from student’s tuition dues, will be complete by the end of the year. The library, however, will need some extra funding.
With UCU relying mainly on student’s contribution to fund its development schemes, the financial strain on parents has gone up. Often, students have threatened to go on strikes over the increasing fees.
Critics point to the exclusive three-semester system as a ‘money-minting undertaking’. “This is not a Christian University,†said one third-year SWSA student.
“It should be called Uganda Commercial/ Cash University.†UCU senate, the university’s highest decision-making organ, however, say the occasional increase in tuition fees is based on the prevailing inflation, which varies from time to time.
Future prospects
With his position being on a contract basis, Senyonyi sees himself subject to reappointment.
“I can be appointed again or disappointed,†he muses. However, when granted the opportunity, he will only serve two terms. “I don’t want a situation where you leave a job and you cannot do anything else,†Senyonyi says.
He intends to take up family counselling and leadership consultancy and evangelism after retirement.
He describes himself as a jack of all trades. From a marriage counselor, evangelist to university administrator, Rev Can Dr John Senyonyi is a man of different hats. The new Uganda Christian University (UCU) vice-chancellor says preaching the gospel comes first in his career.
Career
After joining UCU as a chaplain in 2001, Senyonyi has risen through the ranks. He assumes office in September, 2010 after serving as deputy vice-chancellor in-charge of development and external relations, a position he held since 2006. Since 2000, Prof. Stephen Knoll has been the UCU vice chancellor. His contract expires in August 2010.
A vice-chancellor search committee was dispatched to find Noll’s successor in October 2009, ending the search in April 2010. It sought candidates from Uganda, Africa, the Americas and Europe.
According to Dr Elizabeth Bacwayo, the search committee secretary, seven candidates vied for UCU’s top-most position and Senyonyi emerged the best.
“The responsibility I am undertaking is one I am convinced God has cut-out for me. But I need everyone’s prayers to know rightly what God wants me to do,†Senyonyi says.
Who is Dr John Senyonyi?
Senyonyi was born to Eriakimu Kajja and Efulansi in Luwero in 1956. The third child in a family of 13, 10 of whom are living, Senyonyi went to Nakasongola and Bowa Church of Uganda primary schools (1961-68).
He joined Ndejje SSS for an East African Certificate of Education (1969-72). From 1973-74, Senyonyi enrolled for an East African Advanced Certificate of education at King’s College, Buddo.
He later joined the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree. Senyonyi also holds a certificate in management from the International Institute of Management, Sydney Australia, a Masters degree in Theology from Trinity International University, USA and a doctorate of philosophy in mathematical statistics from University of Melbourne, Australia.
He is married to Ruth Nantege Senyonyi, a counseling psychologist at Bank of Uganda, with whom they have four children.
Currently, Senyonyi is the secretary of UCU Holdings Ltd, the university’s business arm, a position he has held since 2003. He is also the founding director of Family Life Network and the chairman of mission’s committee of the African’s Evangelistic Enterprise.
A female lecturer at UCU describes him as ‘a black man with white-man’s style of work.’ “He holds time management in high regard which is not the case with many Africans,†she says.
Senyonyi is also a member of the GAFCON theological working group and founding member of City Parents’ School, Mengo.
First five-years of his reign
As he takes over UCU’s mantle of leadership, Senyonyi will reign over 10,000 students, with 7,000 at the main campus in Mukono and the others at UCU’s Kabale Constituent College, Arua and Mbale regional campuses.
Senyonyi is keen on enhancing physical infrastructure that should see multi-billion investments in a science laboratory and a library. The library, named in commemoration of Hamu Mukasa, will cost $4m.
The laboratory, whose finances were drawn from student’s tuition dues, will be complete by the end of the year. The library, however, will need some extra funding.
With UCU relying mainly on student’s contribution to fund its development schemes, the financial strain on parents has gone up. Often, students have threatened to go on strikes over the increasing fees.
Critics point to the exclusive three-semester system as a ‘money-minting undertaking’. “This is not a Christian University,†said one third-year SWSA student.
“It should be called Uganda Commercial/ Cash University.†UCU senate, the university’s highest decision-making organ, however, say the occasional increase in tuition fees is based on the prevailing inflation, which varies from time to time.
Future prospects
With his position being on a contract basis, Senyonyi sees himself subject to reappointment.
“I can be appointed again or disappointed,†he muses. However, when granted the opportunity, he will only serve two terms. “I don’t want a situation where you leave a job and you cannot do anything else,†Senyonyi says.
He intends to take up family counselling and leadership consultancy and evangelism after retirement.