On Thursday 17th October 2013, The Makerere University community paid their last respects to the longest-serving Academic Registrar, a man full of honour and integrity, the Late Mr. Bernard Onyango. Born on 11th January 1930 into a family of ten brothers and one sister to parents Reverand Andereya Ochwo and Lakeri Ajwang Abbo, Mr. Bernard Onyango joined the University of East Africa in 1958 and in 1970 when Makerere University became an independent National University of the Republic of Uganda, he became its first Academic Registrar. The late Bernard Onyango held this position until his retirement from University service in 1992.
The Cardinal of Uganda, His Eminence Emmanuel Wamala presided over the Requiem Mass assisted by Msg. Rev. Fr. Lawrence Kanyike and Rev. Fr. Joseph Ddungu, St. Augustine Chapel, Makerere University. During the sermon, His Eminence, Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala thanked the congregation for bidding farewell to their departed colleague in such a memorable way. “Your presence here is testimony that Bernard Onyango lived a fulfilling life. The Faith he professed is the faith that he has carried forward throughout his career and life.” praised Cardinal Wamala. “His faith guided him in his life and it is the faith which he passed on to his children. May the Soul of Bernard rest in eternal peace,” he concluded.
Speaking about his departed friend and Colleague, the former two-time Vice Chancellor of Makerere University Prof. Asavia Wandira fondly reminisced, “Bernard Onyango and I first met in 1958 in Mbale as Teachers who were marking exams. Little did I know that I would later become his great friend,” he recalled. The two later returned to Uganda on the eve of Uganda’s Independence to face the Pan-Africanism era. Regarding Mr. Onyango’s service to Makerere, Prof. Wandira had this to share, “In 1963, Bernard Onyango was appointed Deputy Registrar and in 1964, Prof. Wandira was also invited to become Secretary and Registrar of Makerere University. In 1965, Onyango became the Registrar of the University of East Africa and in 1969, Academic Registrar. Fare thee well Bernard Onyango,” concluded Prof. Asavia Wandira.
Other former colleagues like Prof. Raphael Owori, a Professor of Pathology and former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Makerere University and Prof. Charles Olweny, Vice Chancellor, Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Nkozi, also paid tribute to their great friend.