Mathew Bukenya: rare paragon of integrity and ethics in Uganda

MATHEW BUKENYA, a towering figure who spent two decades as the steadfast guardian of academic integrity in Uganda examinations died on July 21, 2024 at Rubaga hospital. He was 89.

Bukenya, served as the secretary of the Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb) from 1996 to 2016. Pius Muteekani Katunzi looks back at his illustrious career. Early this year, he slid and fell in the bathroom, damaging his hip. Since then, his life has been one of agony until he breathed his last.

Bukenya was a true giant among men, both figuratively and literally. Standing over six feet tall, he commanded respect with his towering presence and unwavering commitment to ethical principles.

During his two-decade tenure at Uneb, he was instrumental in transforming the examinations board, introducing sweeping changes that restored trust and confidence in the nation’s education system. When Bukenya took the helm of Uneb, widespread cheating had eroded confidence in the credibility of national exams.

Impoverished learners were routinely exploited, forced to pay bribes for exam questions, while the well-connected were able to obtain advance copies. Bukenya made it his mission to uproot this culture of corruption. He tirelessly worked to strengthen the board’s internal controls and oversight, ensuring that the examinations process was transparent and secure.

Bukenya’s unwavering dedication to honesty and accountability earned him the admiration of educators, students, and the general public alike. He often wore a smile but he was never lenient on those schools which were involved in examination malpractices. The culprits had
their examinations results either withheld pending investigations or outright cancelled and school licences revoked.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Bukenya’s legacy was his resolute refusal to compromise his principles, even in the face of powerful individuals seeking favors. The story of the Ugandan army general who approached Bukenya, requesting a fraudulent A-level certificate, is a testament to the man’s unshakable integrity.

Rather than succumb to the officer’s demands, Bukenya firmly advised him to return to school and earn his qualifications the honest way. The officer, impressed by Bukenya’s principled stance, eventually followed his advice and went on to become a respected minister.

This story is reminiscent of the another similar event. Joyce Mpanga who also died recently, was another of those high caliber people who served at the East African Examinations Council. Once, a person who had cultivated an opportunistic friendship with her family asked her too to leak exams for her daughter.

This person was very wealthy and promised to give Mrs Mpanga all the money she wanted if she obliged. Strong as Bukenya, Mpanga instead advised that she would look for all the past examination papers for her to help with revision but she wouldn’t involve in bribery and examination malpractice!

That unyielding commitment to honesty and the greater good came at a personal cost. Even after his mandatory retirement at the age of 60, Bukenya’s expertise and integrity were sought after, and he was recalled to lead Uneb until 2016.

Bukenya was recalled from retirement multiple times to stabilize Uneb, as Uganda’s political elite often resisted his efforts to root out corruption. But he never wavered, even in the face of powerful forces that sought to preserve the status quo.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bukenya was remembered as a kind and generous mentor who never discriminated, helping both the young and old alike. In a country where ethical leadership is sorely lacking, his life and legacy stand as a towering example for a new generation of Ugandans to emulate.

Bukenya’s impact extended far beyond his work at Uneb. He was a mentor to many, including his successor, Daniel Nokrach Odongo, whom he groomed to carry on the institution’s legacy of excellence. Bukenya was also known for his kindness and his ability to see the best in people, regardless of their background or social status.

In a country where corruption has become deeply entrenched, the loss of a man like Mathew Bukenya is a profound blow. He was a rare gem, a shining example of the power of integrity, honesty, and unwavering ethical principles. As Uganda mourns his passing, it must also reflect on the urgent need to nurture and emulate individuals of Bukenya’s caliber, individuals who can lead by example and restore public trust in the nation’s institutions.

Bukenya’s legacy will endure, serving as a guiding light for generations to come. He was a true giant, not only in stature but in character, and his impact on Uganda’s education system and society as a whole will be felt for years to come.

May his life and work inspire others to follow in his footsteps and work tirelessly to uphold the values of integrity, honor and excellence that he personified. Bukenya is survived by wife, children and grandchildren. His funeral will be held in Masaka on July 27.