By Andrew Irumba
Although Students and engineering fraternity of various institutions in Uganda have continued to pour in eulogies one after the other following the sudden death of Associate Professor Albert Rugumayo, here is what nobody else told you about so far…
Prof.Dr Albert Tim Isimbwa Rugumayo Amooti died just a day to the inauguration ceremony of his 2nd term as Chairman at the Directorate of Industrial Training,Minister of Education, which ceremony was to be presided over by the first lady and minister for Education Janet Kataha Museveni.
Prof.Albert was first nominated and appointed Chairman Assessment and Standards Committee of Industrial Training Council (ITC) at the Directorate of Industrial Training (DIT) (a policy and regulatory body at DIT) by former Education minister Jesca Alupo in April 2015 for a three yr term. Upon completion of his term, Janet Museveni re-appointed him for a second 3 year term and his inauguration ceremony was slated for Monday 24th September 2018 just a day after his death.
Prof. Rugumayo passed away at his home in Fort Portal on Sunday 23rd September after battling lung respiratory complications for months. The late was one time the dean faculty of College of Design, Architecture and Technology (CEDAT) Makerere University.
He also lectured at Kyambogo University and at the time of his death, Rugumayo was the dean faculty of Engineering Ndejje University. He was the person who birthed the idea of starting Engineering as a course in several institutions of Higher learning Institutions in Uganda including Ndejje University.
Prof. Rugumayo’s death brings to three the number of top Educationists who passed away in recent months. Last month, Dr.Peter Dhamuzungu, Ndejje and Kyambogo lecturer collapsed and passed away in a taxi while just two weeks, Makerere lost Professor Dr. Moses Musaazi who invented the Makapad.
Prof. Albert Rugumayo was son to former minister and diplomat Prof. Edward Rugumayo from Tooro.
Prof.Albert Rugumayo has been representing High Institutions of learning as a delegate to Directorate of Industrial Training directly appointed by Education Minister, having influenced the start of Engineering and skills development departments at several Institutions.
Mr.Micheal Okumu, Ag.Deputy Director Assessment and Certification department at DIT described Prof. Rugumayo as an ‘Irreplaceable selfless pillar’ in practical skills development who even went an extra mile out of ‘his way’. “His death was a shock to us, because just imagine, that car you see you parked (he pointed at it through the window of his office block) was professor’s personal effort that he had to personally approve it as Chairman of the committee but even went out of his way to ensure that it’s bought, for all that time DIT has been had a vehicle to transport exams, we just out source, but very costly. When we told he vowed to buy it, and there it is, new. He has been a practical man,” Michael said.
While flagging off the 2018/19 BITVET exams at the DIT offices in Industrial area, Mr.Akiiba Bataringaya Severino, the senior Qualifications Officer asked for a minute in silence in honour of professor’s contribution and the purposeful he live, which was granted.
Rugumayo was buried on Saturday in Fort Portal -Tooro. RIP
