Mathew Bukenya, the former Secretary of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB), has passed away at 89 years of age. The UNEB Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule confirmed the news on Monday, sharing that Bukenya had been battling health issues for some time before his peaceful passing on Sunday night.
“He has rested,” Kalule said, praising Bukenya for his dedication and exemplary service. “His legacy is marked by the great strides he made for our nation during his years at the examination body, overcoming numerous challenges along the way.”
The last public appearance of Bukenya was in July last year at the opening of new stores and an office block for UNEB in Kyambogo, where he was seen looking frail and being assisted as he walked. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Education in Charge of Higher Education, also paid tribute to the late Mathew Bukenya. He described Bukenya as a dedicated servant whose legacy is firmly etched in Uganda’s educational history.
Dr Muyingo praised Bukenya for his unwavering commitment to raising the standards of national examinations and noted that even during challenging times, Bukenya remained steadfast and provided essential guidance to the board.
Bukenya’s remarkable career at the helm of UNEB began in 1997 when he was appointed as the Secretary, a role he held until his retirement in 2016. His 19-year service makes him the longest-serving Secretary in the board’s history. He succeeded David Livingstone Ongom, and before Ongom, the position was held by Basil Kiwanuka. Uneb was established in 1983.
Before he was appointed UNEB Secretary, Bukenya had a distinguished career as an accountant within the board and had retired at the age of 60. However, in 1997, he was called back from retirement to lead UNEB, where he became a household name synonymous with the national examinations.
