Gulu University mourns pioneer bursar

Gulu University and the Rotary fraternity are mourning the death of Kenneth Akena, their senior member.
Akena, 56, one of the pioneers of the university, died at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor on Tuesday where he was taken after developing breathing complications. He has also been assistant Rotary governor for northern region.
He has served as a bursar at the university since its founding in 2002 until last Monday when he handed over office upon expiry of his contract.
His brother, Mr Geoffrey Odongkara, said the deceased has had a history of hypertension.
“He was diagnosed with malaria two weeks ago before he developed breathing complications that eventually claimed his life,” Mr Odongkara said.
He said Akena left a legacy of hard work and used education as a tool to fight poverty from the region.
“He always advised us to value education beyond any boundary and that every child in the region deserves to go to school if we are to overcome poverty out of the land. He had more than 30 children he was supporting with school fees,” Mr Odongkara said.
The Dean Faculty of Law at Gulu University, Assoc Prof Shadat Ssemakula, said Akena’s death is a big blow to the university fraternity.
“When he was handing over office, he tasked us to always appreciate the good work one has offered and to work as a team,” he said.
The university public relations officer, Mr Amelia Zalwango Kiggundu, said the deceased has been committed to work. The Gulu Rotary Club president, Mr William Amone, said the deceased has been in and out of the hospital for the past 10 days.
“We will really miss him, he was a self-motivated, generous man who stood to serve humanity with all his energy. He was dedicated to see a society beyond self and that was the gospel he would preach to us every time we are for fellowship,” Mr Amone added.
Akena will be laid to rest next week at his ancestral place in Lubende Village, Labongo Akwang Sub-county, Kitgum District.

About Akena