Uganda’s education community has been plunged into grief following the unexpected death of Mrs. Elizabeth Gabona.
The distinguished former Director for Higher Education and Deputy Chairperson of the Education Service Commission leaves behind a towering legacy that shaped countless educational policies and institutions.
“A Moving Encyclopedia on Education”
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa’s tribute captures the essence of Gabona’s impact.
“She was a moving encyclopedia on education matters,” he shared, revealing the profound mentorship role she played in his life.
Their professional relationship extended to serving together on the Makerere University Council, where her expertise proved invaluable.
What makes her passing particularly shocking is its suddenness. Tayebwa noted that Gabona had recently visited his office to discuss retirement plans, appearing to be in good health.
“She was like a mother to me,” he added, underscoring the personal dimension of this professional loss.
I am shocked by the sudden death of Mrs. Elizabeth Gabona, former Director for Higher Education @Educ_SportsUg and Deputy Chairperson, Education Service Commission. She was a moving encyclopedia on education matters and served the country with unwavering dedication. Maama Gabona… pic.twitter.com/Sfk1rbtAZQ
— Thomas Tayebwa (@Thomas_Tayebwa) February 22, 2025
Preserving Wisdom and Knowledge
Pastor Martin Ssempa framed Gabona’s death in poignant cultural terms: “When an African elder dies, it is like a library burning down.”
This powerful metaphor speaks to the irreplaceable knowledge and experience that departs with senior education leaders like Gabona.
Ssempa’s call for a campaign to document the experiences of senior citizens resonates deeply in this context. Gabona’s decades of insight into Uganda’s education system – its challenges, evolution, and potential – represents institutional knowledge that cannot be easily reconstructed.
Related: Understanding UNEB’s New UCE Grading System
A Legacy of Mentorship
Beyond her formal titles and positions, Gabona’s most enduring contribution may be the professionals she mentored and guided.
Across social media and in professional circles, former colleagues and students have shared how her wisdom shaped their careers and perspectives on education.
Her approach to educational leadership combined technical expertise with deep commitment to Uganda’s development through quality education.
This holistic vision influenced policy decisions and institutional practices that continue to impact students today.
The Path Forward
As the education sector mourns this significant loss, questions arise about preserving and building upon Gabona’s legacy.
Her retirement plans, mentioned in Tayebwa’s tribute, might have included strategies for knowledge transfer that now remain unrealized.
For Uganda’s education institutions, Gabona’s passing serves as a reminder of the importance of documenting institutional knowledge and creating mentorship pathways that allow wisdom to flow across generations of educational leaders.
The tributes pouring in from across the country demonstrate that while Gabona may have physically departed, her influence on Uganda’s education landscape remains profoundly present and will continue to shape the sector for years to come.
