Prime
Bukenya on his way out of examinations body
Uneb chairperson Fagil Mandy (top left) and executive secretary Mathew Bukenya.
Kampala
The long-serving executive secretary for Uganda National Examinations Board (Uneb), Mr Mathew Bukenya, is serving the final months of his one-year extension that runs out in January.
Mr Bukenya has been heading Uneb for the last 16 years but his position has been advertised amidst reports that President Museveni had verbally ordered its renewal for another term. Uneb Chairman Fagil Mandy yesterday said the examination’s governing board had decided to carry on with the recruitment process, but had given Mr Bukenya, an extension that runs up to January.
During this period, Mr Bukenya is expected to orient his replacement, and possibly a new team. The process of receiving applications, according to Mr Mandy ended last week with 53 individuals eying the job. “The new executive secretary is expected to be in office before Mr Bukenya quits for purposes of continuity,” Mr Mandy said by telephone.
No confirmation
The Daily Monitor could not verify reports that President Museveni had ordered that Mr Bukenya’s contract should be renewed for another term. Deputy Presidential press secretary Lindah Nabusayi said the President’s orders are always in writing.
Mr Bukenya retired as an accountant in Uneb after clocking 60 years but was recalled in 1997, after a year in retirement to act as secretary. Efforts by this newspaper to speak to Mr Bukenya proved futile as he was not answering his calls for the last few days. But it is understood that Mr Mandy’s board found it necessary to end Mr Bukenya’s tenure because he is almost 80 years and that young people were needed to rejuvenate the steering of the body.
