General
Professor Johnson Acon: A Humble, Selfless Mentor
Makerere University Management, staff and students especially from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB) paid tribute to Prof. Johnson Opio Acon during a service that took place at St. Luke Church Ntinda on 20th January 2020. The fare thee well ceremony was also attended by the late Professor’s family and friends and government officials.
Prof. Acon joined Makerere University in 1979 as a Special Assistant in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies. He gradually rose through the ranks to the position of Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Clinical and Comparative Medicine, CoVAB, a position he occupied until his death.
Makerere University commended the late Prof. Acon for his selfless service and positive impact on the current and next generation of practitioners of Veterinary Medicine. He was also praised for his humility, love for the University and Nation and association with people from all walks of life regardless of academic standing.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University described Prof. Acon as a well-cultured Professor who exemplified quality, ethics, standards and professionalism in all manner and form.
“Prof. Acon observed traits suitable of a great academician. In his time of service with the University, he mentored many veterinary professionals and was very instrumental in disseminating knowledge to students and staff. He will be greatly missed by the University and the country at large. He leaves a permanent mark at Makerere University,” said Prof. Nawangwe.
The Principal CoVAB, Prof. John David Kabasa acknowledged Prof. Acon’s sacrifices towards the development of CoVAB and pledged to emulate him when he said “He nurtured us and in memory of what he taught us, we shall deliver our best for the betterment of the College and Makerere University.”
He commended the late Prof. Acon for his distinguished and dedicated service towards Makerere University which led to his appointment as Senior Veterinary Surgeon at the Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, Clinical and Comparative Medicine.
In his speech, the former Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera praised Prof. Acon for being a God-fearing man and thanked the Church for molding his character. He appealed to parents to raise God-fearing and intelligent children.
Eng. Dr. Charles Wana-Etyem, the former Chairperson Makerere University Council said that Prof. Acon will always be remembered for his honesty, humor, integrity and kindness. He extended his heartfelt condolences to family, friends and relatives of Prof. Acon and called upon God to strengthen them during the trying moment.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the late Prof. Acon’s children, Mr. Andy Acon, Ms. Anita Acon and Ms. Alma Acon referred to their father as a friendly, caring and loving man who always encouraged them to believe that they can achieve their dreams.
“Our father was a provider who worked hard to meet our needs. He believed in integrity and impacted his personality traits on us. It is well with his soul,” they said.
Ms. Alma Acon applauded their mother Mrs. Sophie Acon for loving and caring for their father and thanked mourners for the support and comfort rendered to them during their time of loss.
Prof. Johnson Opio Acon passed away on 15th January 2020 at Kampala Independent Hospital. He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Ogengo, Aloi, Alebtong District on 22nd January 2020.
Article by: Esther Joy Nakibombo Volunteer Mak Public Relations Office
By Agnes Namaganda
On July 22nd 2022, Makerere University–Child Health and Development Centre (Mak–CHDC) launched a draft manual for the National Parenting Standards. The Centre has been working together with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) with funding from UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund), to develop standards that are agreeable to all organisations in the country that are involved in parenting work. The draft manual was being presented to members of a consortium that brings together all these organisations together, called the Parenting Agenda Consortium.
“We produce many documents and they are shelved,” Irene Ayot Chono, who was speaking on behalf of UNICEF said. “We hope that this document will not be one of them,” she emphasized.
Dr. Godfrey Siu, the Principal Investigator from Mak-CHDC who presented the draft manual to participants, emphasized that if any organization is doing parenting work, there should be a minimum package that they should offer.
Draft Manual Content
The manual which will have several modules. These modules will be delivered face-to-face in 1.5 hour sessions. Some of these include; Module 6 which will focus on “understanding responsible masculinity and fatherhood” and on “understanding the concept of head of family.”The draft manual also proposed that Module 11 focuses on Parenting in the 21st Century. Some of the sessions in this module will include Children and Technology, Contemporary Influence on Children and Modernity, Culture and Morality.Module 9 will focus on Parenting for Adolescents and some of the suggested sessions within this module are Needs for Adolescents and The Art of Communicating with Adolescents. Module 5 will focus on Preventing Violent Parenting and Promoting Alternative Discipline Strategies while Module 10 will be about Parenting to Address the Mental Health for Children and Adults.
Participants’ suggestions
After the presentation, participants raised several suggestions for discussion and consideration. These included whether there should be a module on spirituality since Uganda is a strongly religious nation. There was also the concern of how children in remand homes should be parented. Another concern raised by a participant was as to whether teachers who make an undeniable contribution to parenting, should be taken through the parenting manual.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Juliana Naumo Akoryo, the Director of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) said that the manual is for the parenting organisations to utilize and not for MGLSD.
Ms. Chono also adjured the team behind the manual to use picture illustrations in the manual that can be relatable by the Ugandan parents.
Contact: Agnes Namaganda – agnesvioletnamaganda@gmail.com
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