Adriko is admired as a brilliant academician and a shrewd businessman

By Chris Kiwawulo

He came, he saw and he conquered. A perfect description of Dr. Eric Tiyo Sekebuga Adriko. Right from an early age, he has proved his excellence and meets challenges head-on.

His is both an academic and a businessman. Those close to him and who have worked with him bear testimony of his intelligence and humility.

President Yoweri Museveni recently re-appointed him chancellor of Kyambogo University. The university has had no chancellor since his contract expired in February 2009. His second term started on February 12.

Adriko has been the first person to be appointed a chancellor for a public university for a second time running.

“I wish to express my humility and gratitude to the President for entrusting me with this job once again,” he says.

He also expressed his gratitude to the Kyambogo University Council and community for trusting him. He promised to be more committed towards serving them.

According to the rule, the university council seconds the name of the person they want appointed as chancellor. This name is forwarded to the President for approval.

“I have been resilient and I think that is why I was re-appointed,” Adriko says.

He is a mechanical engineer and has founded several institutions including the faculty of technology, Makerere University. He is a former second deputy prime minister and minister of public service.

Education background
Adriko was born on March 1, 1941. Between 1948 and 1954, he attended Mvara Primary School and later Jiako Primary School in Arua.

He then joined Mvara Junior Secondary School where he got a junior leaving certificate. He was the best student from West Nile and this earned him a Government scholarship to King’s College Budo.

While in Budo, he emerged the best O’level Cambridge school certificate student in Uganda in 1960. At A’level, he was the best student in the country.

Adriko went to Queen Mary College, London between 1963 and 1966 to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering. He once again excelled and attained a first class degree.

This performance earned him a Commonwealth scholarship to pursue a doctorate in mechanical engineering under a “fast track” scheme.

This means he did not have to first acquire a master’s degree. He accomplished this between 1966 and 1970.

Career achievements
Adriko is a member of the institution of mechanical engineers UK and institution of professional engineers both in Uganda and Kenya.

In 1974, he was appointed by the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) to the list of arbitrators to the International Chamber of Commerce court in Paris, France, and other arbitration centres acceptable to FIDIC.

Adriko has served in various capacities in public service, active politics and as a civic leader. In 1972, he was nominated a member of the former East African Legislative Assembly.

Between 1989 and 1999, he served as a minister of industry and technology. At the same time, he was appointed a member to the Uganda Constitutional Commission.

During the reshuffle in 1991, Adriko was appointed the third deputy prime minister and minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, a position he held up to 1994. In 1995, he was appointed the second deputy prime minister and minister of Public Service until 1996.

He was also elected a member of the National Resistance Council for Vurra County, a position he held up to 1996.

Adriko has been a member of several educational and commercial institutions, including the American Express Gold Card, Barclays Visa Card and Makerere University Council (1975-80).



His social life

Adriko is described as an outgoing and approachable person. He often attends the Lugbara community parties. He was one of the guests at the wedding of Apac resident district commissioner Alex Jurua and Josephine Akello recently at Mulago hospital.

He has set up and managed a string of businesses both locally and internationally.

During the reign of former President Milton Obote, Adriko went into exile in Kenya and while there, he became the managing director of Thermokold Limited, a Kenyan company dealing in repair of refrigerators and air conditioners.

He has, since 1976, been the executive chairman of West Nile Distilling Company Limited, manufacturers of Adriko gin as well as the managing director of Glucose Uganda Limited.

Adriko is fluent in English, Lugbara, and Kiswahili. He is not that fluent in Luganda.

He is married to Julie Luwum, a daughter of the late Archbishop Janani Luwum. They have a home in Kololo.

Adriko loves sports — an aspect he has vowed to promote at Kyambogo University.

When not in his office, he is either overseeing his businesses or playing golf, his favourite sport.

He is an enthusiastic golfer and member of the Uganda Golf Club and Kampala Club.

He was the captain of the Uganda Golf Club from 1998 to 2000. In 2008, he was elected president of the Uganda Golf Union.