MARY NAMPUNGU MWANJE February 7, 2022

Our beloved Mary Nampungu Mwanje was born on May15th, 1940 at Bikira, Kyotera District, Uganda to the late Joseph Mwanje, a disciplined industrious hardworking farmer of deep faith and Anna Namatovu Mwanje, a delightful family-caring homemaker. She was baptized four days later at our Lady of Victory, Bikira Parish, Kyotera, Uganda on May 19th, 1940, by Reverend Fr. John Baptist Kasozi, with witness of godmother Angelina Namuddu from Kisula.

Mary had a privileged childhood and grew up endowed with a rich background full of values and talent under the tutelage of her incredibly wise father. As such she was inducted into the world of committed responsibility, business and administrative learning and they shaped her future professional and personal work ethic. She set out on her life journey, taking on her choice education to become an outstanding professional secretary who progressively rose in rank to serve at prominent institutions, diligent in her professional and personal life of service in whatever capacity she could when she could. She believed in keeping the peace, and that no differences were insurmountable.

Her creed was “Enjovu teremererwa masanga gayo” – An elephant cannot fail to carry its tusks. She will forever be remembered for her fierce independence and strong belief in women’s empowerment as the foundation to society as well as her unwavering source of support to many, in whatever means available to her.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

• St Joseph Bikira Girls Primary School: P1-P6 (1947-52) PLE and Junior J1-J3 (1953-55)
• Christ the King Junior Kalisizo, Bulinda (now Christ the king Secondary School) for S1-S3 (1956-1958) Mount St Mary’s Namagunga Secondary School, S4 & S5 1959-60 (Cambridge GCE)
• Kampala Technical College School 1961-1962.
• Nakawa Secretarial College (then Uganda Technical College of Commerce Nakawa, now Makerere Univ. Business School) 1963-1964.
• Oxford House College (UK) for Advanced training in secretarial, Bookkeeping, Accountancy, and computer training 1965.
• Brighton School of Commerce (U.K) 1965 (for six months) for industrial training in various offices, sponsored by Ministry of Education.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Ministry of education – Stenographer in the Office of Inspectorate of Schools 1965-1966

Kilembe Mines Ltd (Kasese) – Secretary to Mines Superintendent 1967-1969

Standard Bank (later became Standard Chartered Bank) 1969-1971 – Masaka and Kampala branches, Advance, and Bills Department.

Makerere University 1971-1993 University Farm (now Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute, Kabanyolo); Hostel – Office of the Warden Livingstone Hall – Administrative Secretary in Office of the Warden Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) – Office of the Director Faculty of Technology (now College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology) – Office of the Dean . School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Resources – Office of the Dean Estates & Works Department – Office of the Director. Senior Personal Secretary, Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration. Makerere Medical School – Dean’s Office

Uganda Martyr’s University, 1993 – 2004 Notable experiential service, was part of the University initiation at Nkozi, and subsequent development of the Kampala, Nsambya and Rubaga campuses. Senior Personal Secretary, Faculty of Business Administration and Management. Executive officer, Registrar’s Office. Administrator, Nkozi campus, Kampala office and Rubaga campus.