Students and engineering fraternity of various institutions in Uganda are still in shock after learning about the untimely death of Prof. Albert Amooti Rugumayo.
Prof. Rugumayo passed away at his home in Fortportal 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 in Uganda including Ndejje University.
Prof. Rugumayo’s death brings to three the number of top educationist who passed away in recent months. Last month, Dr.Peter Dhamuzungu, a Ndejje and Kyambogo lecturer collapsed and passed away in a taxi while just last week Makerere lost the professor Dr. Moses Musaazi who invented the Makapad.
Since this semester begun, Prof. Rugumayo the son to former minister also Prof. Edward Rugumayo had not showed up at campus since his condition was unpredictable and was on some cases put on oxygen
“We visited him just weeks back at his home and he was getting better. We even took selfies with him. It is so sad that we have lost such a loving father to engineering,” a one David Uwonda , final year student of civil engineering at Ndejje recalls.
“I cannot imagine that he has gone. He was so free with his students and cared so much about everyone. I remember he used to give students lifts in his car and even bought our class a cake recently to celebrate his 60th birthday. Indeed, we have lost a good mentor,” Cleopatra Nantongo, a former student to the late said.
Prof. Rugumayo helped mentor so many engineers and students throughout his long time career in the field working under different projects in and outside the country.
The deceased’s body will be taken for a vigil at his home in Mutungo on Wednesday then on Thursday he will be taken for a service starting at 10:00am at All Saints Cathedral Namirembe before proceeding another service at St. Johh’s Church Fort Portal on Friday at 11:00 am and thereafter, he will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kasisi, 12Km along Fort Portal to Kamwenge road.
May the soul of beloved Prof. Albert Rugumayo rest in eternal peace.
