Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi

Written by By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Monday, 14 May 2012 10:39

The passing of a seasoned educationist

Prof. William Senteza Kajubi, 86, eminent educationist, leader and founder of higher education institutions and father of three pairs of twins died at his home in the suburb of Bugolobi on May 1. The death came less than a month after the demise of National Anthem composer Prof. George Kakoma and just five months before the 50th anniversary of independence

The two figures were symbolic in ’s history. It was Kajubi, while chairing the committees that worked on the country’s symbols shortly before independence, who convinced Kakoma to participate in the competition for composing the anthem.

A family friend who received Kajubi’s mobile phone hours after he was pronounced dead told T he Independent the professor died from a fall in his house and a post-mortem would later confirm that he died of a stroke.

In a contribution to especially Uganda’s education sector stretching over 60 years, Kajubi taught, led and started academic institutions, worked on shaping the education policy through serving on various commissions and chairing some, conducted research and inspired many.

Born in 1926 in Kampala, Kajubi studied at up to 1950 before proceeding to the University of Chicago in the USA for a masters majoring in geography. After a three year teaching sojourn at King’s College Budo, he embarked on a long career in university education

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Written by By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Monday, 14 May 2012 10:39 at Makerere University and other institutions.

For three years until 1967, Kajubi served as Director of the National Institute of Education at Makerere University. He was made professor of higher education at Makerere University in 1969. He served as Vice Chancellor of Makerere University twice, first from 1977 to 1979 and again between 1990 and 1993. Between 1986 and 1989, Kajubi served as Principal of the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK).

Prof. Badru Kateregga, the proprietor and Vice Chancellor of , is one of the academics who knew Prof. Kajubi. Kateregga is one of those who had fled Uganda during the reign of Idi Amin.

He says it was Kajubi’s love for his country that kept him in Uganda at a time when most of his colleagues had fled Idi Amin’s terror. Kateregga told The Independent that Kajubi went “hunting” for his fellow academics immediately Prof. Lule took over power after Amin’s ouster. “He was a nationalist who cared a lot about the development of his country,” said Kateregga.

Kateregga eventually worked under Kajubi as vice chancellor of Makerere University. Kateregga would again experience Kajubi’s “great managerial skills” at , where Kateregga served as a member of the Nkumba University Council for three years.

He also worked with Kajubi in the Uganda Vice Chancellors’ Forum, which brings together vice chancellors of all the universities in the country, where he says Kajubi usually made valuable contributions. “He loved people, education, was eloquent, a great philosopher and had a sense of humour,” Kateregga sums up Kajubi.

In 1963, Kajubi was a member of the Education Policy Commission which was charged with considering the appropriate education for Uganda. He chaired the Education Policy Review Commission between 1977 and 1978 which, even if it wasn’t published since Amin fell shortly afterwards, greatly fed into the education policy in Uganda until 1992.

Kajubi would chair another Education Policy Review Commission between 1987 and 1989. The

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Written by By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Monday, 14 May 2012 10:39 commission recommended, among other things, the introduction of Universal Primary Education and widening access to higher education, on which liberalising university education was premised.

To help realise the vision of accessible higher education, Kajubi participated in the founding of Nkumba University and served as its vice chancellor for 14 years from 1994. A former student at Nkumba University said Kajubi, while he was vice chancellor, encouraged them to live to the values the university aims to impart – competence, creativity, confidence and character.

In recognition of his contribution to , the Makerere University School of Education in January 2011 dedicated a bust to Kajubi. Kajubi used the occasion to pay tribute to his late wife of 54 years, Nnalongo Elsie Kajubi. Kajubi said then that his wife was his inspiration, encouragement and support.

Kajubi has also been idolised by fellow professors, with eminent education professor J. C. Sekamwa writing a book in Kajubi’s honour. The 54-page book, titled Prof. William Senteza Kajubi: Educating Through Quotable Quotes and the Birth of His Legacy at Nkumba University , was published in 2008.

Kajubi, whose body lay in state for public viewing and paying last respects, was accorded a state funeral and buried on May 5 at Maya off Masaka Road.

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