Uganda is mourning the death of Former Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Executive Secretary, Matthew Bukenya.
“It is with deep sorrow that the Board announces the death of the former Executive Secretary of UNEB, Mr Bukenya Bulyake Barry Mathew who passed on during the early morning hours of Monday 22nd of July 2024,” said UNEB in an obituary.
At the age of 89, Bukenya was the longest-serving Executive Secretary of UNEB. He was the Executive Secretary of UNEB from April 1995 to April 2016.
According to UNEB Spokesperson Jennifer Kalule, Bukenya was battling health issues for some time before his peaceful passing on Sunday night.
“He has rested. 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,” she said.
Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Education in Charge of Higher Education, described Bukenya as a dedicated servant whose legacy is firmly etched in Uganda’s educational history.
“He is greatly remembered for his guidance and mentorship of those who worked with him at UNEB,” said the exam body.
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.
He succeeded David Livingstone Ongom. Before Ongom, the position was held by Basil Kiwanuka.
On retirement, Bukenya was replaced by Dan Nokrach Odongo, his then Deputy Secretary for Secondary Education.