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The passing of an academic, politician and family man
"You stood out among the crowd. Your wisdom led many to discover their full potential. Your specific attachment to the vulnerable and the hurting leaves a challenge to us who live after you.
You taught the young generation the value of tolerance and respect for differences in opinions, creed and nationality. From your life we learn the value of following one's conscience and principles even when it takes a generation to realise the dreams. From a humble background, you enriched a multitude as a teacher, parent, christian and politician, a combination that has failed many."
This was the eulogy read on December 24 at a funeral service held in honour of the late Prof. Adonia Tiberondwa at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero.
Ado as he was popularly referred to, succumbed to cancer at Mulago Hospital on December 22.
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Rest In Peace: Tiberondwa lived a life of hard work, dedication and persisitence (Monitor photo).
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Until his death, Tiberondwa was a senior lecturer at the department of Higher Education at Makerere University.
Born on December 27 1936 in Bweranyangi, Tiberondwa's academic pursuit started from Mwengura Church School in 1944. He later proceeded to Ruyonza Primary School, then to Mbarara High School for his junior secondary school.
Because of his outstanding academic performance to which many of his colleagues attest, Tiberondwa then proceeded to Nyakasura School, where he won a number of scholarships that saw him through his education until he joined university.
While at Makerere University, he undertook a Bachelor of Science degree, which he completed in 1962. That was just the beginning of an academic career for a man who was later to become one of the country's most respected professors.
He
started his professional career as a secondary school Science teacher in 1958, while still pursuing his course at Makerere.
Tiberondwa taught a number of distinguished people including President Yoweri Museveni whom he taught in the 1960's at Ntare School. "Its because of people like Tiberondwa that we came out and went to school and now we are able to relate to the modern world,'' Museveni said of his former teacher.
Tiberondwa was the headmaster of Teso College from 1968-1971, taught at St. Henry's Kitovu from 1967-68, was head teacher of Lango College from 1965-67 among other responsibilities as an educator.
Tiberondwa later enrolled for a master's degree in Education Management at the University of Columbia in USA, which he completed in 1970.
He was the Principal of National Teachers’ College Kyambogo from 1971-1972.
He seemed not to have been satisfied with
what he had achieved. He enrolled for his PhD at the University of Dar es Salaam, which he successfully completed in 1975.
He also did a postgraduate diploma in Education at Makerere University and a certificate in Education Administration from Columbia University.
His death has been a blow to many. Uganda’s exiled former President, Dr Milton Obote, said, "am shattered by his death. It is a loss. I have lost a friend and an advisor''.
Tiberondwa held a number of senior administrative positions in Uganda and outside Uganda's educational institutions.
He was a member of the Makerere University Council (1968-72) and of the University Council of Zambia (1973-79). In Zambia, he was a lecturer and head of educational foundations for eight years.
"He has made a remarkable contribution in the field of education. We shall greatly miss this distinguished scholar", Dr
Khiddu Makubuya, Minister of Education and Sports said.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof Livingstone Luboobi said, " The University will miss this great man who has played a big role in building the future at Makerere. His greatest impact has been in supervising postgraduate students. He was popular with his students because of his vast knowledge and intelligence''.
He was also a member of the board of directors of the East African Airways and later chairman of its appointments committee among a number of other positions.
Tiberondwa the politician was a member of the Executive Committee of the Uganda Peoples Congress, MUK branch. He later became a delegate to the first UPC conference in 1960.
Under the Obote II regime, he represented the people of Bushenyi Central in the National Parliament and also served as Minister for Industry.
He was once
chairman of UPC Presidential Policy Commission and its political committee. He served as the Chairman of UPC's Executive Committee in Bushenyi from 1986 to 2004.
Tiberondwa was not only active in the field of education and politics he participated in a number of other non-academic activities. He was the Chief Scout of Uganda for fifteen years, diocesan head of the laity in the Church of Uganda and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Uganda Men Christian Association (YMCA).
Unlike many politicians, Tiberondwa is said to have been a man who could accommodate varied views, political, academic or otherwise.
"Despite having a principled stand on his party, he could accommodate any views. Although he's gone, he has left a legacy, which will live with us forever,'' Mr Yona Kanyomozi, East African parliamentarian and UPC strong man, lamented.
"Although we did not
agree politically, we have been good friends, state minister for industry Mr Richard Nduhura said.
Mr Odrek Rwabogo, director of Terp Consult, described the late Tiberondwa as a mentor who taught him the value of tolerance. "His contribution deserves a lot of respect especially in the field of education,'' he said.
"He was extremely generous. Some of us thought he was being extravagant. He was very principled. You know principled people are hard to get with but they are better than people who shift with the wings, ''Mr Amanya Mushega, General Secretary of the East African Community, said.
Democratic Party President General, Dr. Paul Kawanga Semogerere acknowledged with much appreciation the contribution Prof Tiberondwa made to the political development of Uganda through UPC where he has been a devoted member.
"Tiberondwa struggled for Uganda's independence and
nation building, he played a key role in inter-party reconciliation and inter-party cooperation in the 1996 presidential campaigns,'' he said. "We hope and pray that Tiberondwa will even in death remain an inspiration for unity and democracy for the people of Uganda."
The chairman of the Presidential Policy Commission of UPC, Dr James Rwanyarare, said the party would miss a key figure especially during this transition period. "Tiberondwa was a distinguished Ugandan, nationalist and academician. He was hardworking and has been very dear to every one. We shall miss him as a party and in the field of academics,'' Rwanyarare said.
UPC Vice Chairman, Mr Henry Mayega, said the party has lost a valuable person who participated tirelessly to retain its strength.
"Despite his age, Tiberondwa had a strong memory that surprised everyone. He has been our grandparent who advises
the party almost on every thing," he said. A day before his death, Tiberondwa and his wife, Ms Mary Kamatabaza, had marked 41 years in marriage.
He is survived by children some his, others adopted.
He was buried at his ancestral home in Bushenyi on Dec 26.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
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