Dr. Martin Jerome Okec Aliker who died today, April 15 at the ripe age of 95, is a man who wore many hats throughout his lifespan- from being a much sought-after dental surgeon; an astute businessman in corporate boardrooms, and a statesman with covert influence who contributed to shaping Uganda’s political path especially during the turbulent times.
His early times
Dr Aliker led a noble lifestyle from childhood after he was born into aristocracy to Rwot Lacito Okech, an Acholi chief, and Julaina Auma.
As a son of an Acholi chief. Sir Apollo Kagwa- a Buganda colonial chief encouraged the admission of the chiefs’ children to study at King’s College Budo where Aliker joined his older brother Daudi Ochieng in the 1940’s.
In 1948, he was admitted to Makerere University. However, before he could complete his studies at Makerere, he won a Fulbright Scholarship to Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois, United States of America (U.S.A), where he earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Doctor of Dental Surgery.
After his doctorate studies in the United States, Aliker returned to Uganda and took up employment as a government dental surgeon. Later on, he left the civil service and set up the first private dental practice in Uganda owned by an African.
He practised in Uganda from 1959 to 1972, and later in Kenya from 1972 to 1995.
In his autobiography, ‘The Bell is Ringing: Martin Aliker Story’ with some excerpts captured by Mahiri book, an online bookstore and other reviewers – Dr Aliker describes his story as one of; personal strive, pain, love, adventure, endurance and triumph set around the the time of Uganda’s independence where he occupied a front row seat as major events unfolded.
In the book, he writes about studying dentistry, in the 1950’s, for six years in the USA amid racism and in between getting hold of the ‘Jewish Files’ on exclusive medical knowledge.
Dr Aliker writes about falling in love with his future- wife-to-be Camille while in the USA, thanks to his exotic accent that opens the door!
Former Democratic Party President, late Paul Kawanga Ssemwogere would later accompany him for his ‘kukyala’ to meet his future wife-to-be family in Chicago where his in-laws were worried that he may have other wives in the ‘darkest’ Africa.
He also writes about his time as a teacher in Nabumali High School, a porter at a soap factory, a Dental Officer at Mulago Hospital and in private practice and finally diplomacy and corporate leadership.
When there was an assassination attempt on President Obote in 1969, he was in the operating theatre full of excited soldiers with automatic weapons.
Statesman
Aliker left for exile in 1972 after former President Amin’s takeover and relocated to Kenya.
With his wife, Camille and their four children, he spent more than 20 years in Nairobi where he built up another successful dental practice.
After the fall of Amin, Aliker worked briefly with Presidents Lule and Binaisa as an advisor.
He had earlier been a key player at the Moshi Conference which brought together some exiled Ugandan leaders to prepare for Uganda’s governance in the post-Amin period.
Mark Keith Muhumuza, in a review of Aliker’s book, writes that it is in exile that the silent statesman can be seen. Several Ugandans would approach him to discuss regime change. At some point, some even wanted him to become president, once Amin was toppled.
In Kenya, he also met the current President, Museveni. In their first meeting, Museveni did not leave an impression on Aliker.
“When I asked him how long this war would last, he said anything from five to twenty years. I lost interest in the young man because I was not sure… I felt I had met a dreamer who could tolerate Amin for all those years,” the book reads.
The book is full of life. The descriptions of several people often revealed character. “(Paulo) Muwanga (from the pro-Obote group) had bought military uniforms and appeared in army fatigues. He never forgave me for pointing out that he had done no fighting” Aliker writes.
He describes President Binaisa as one who had taken 12 years to complete a two-year mining degree in the United Kingdom.
In his memoir, he also describes his role as a foreign affairs minister and an emissary for President Museveni to President Omar Al Bashir of Sudan, and between President Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and the White House under both President George H. W. Bush and President George W. Bush, in connection with the Lockerbie incident.
He also recalls his attendance at Zimbabwe independence celebrations and later encounters with Presidents Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela.
His role in affairs of the state can’t be underestimated from being Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Co-operation and Senior Presidential Advisor, Special Duties to the President.
Just like in politics and business, Aliker’s star shone far and wide in academia.
He shared his valuable professional knowledge by being a part-time Lecturer in Surgery at Makerere University Medical School between 1959 to 1966.
He went on to serve as Chancellor of Gulu University, and later Chancellor of Victoria University.
In July 2014, he was appointed chairman of the board of trustees of the Makerere University Endowment Fund.
Business Acumen
At a Martin Aliker invitational lecture in 2012 at Makerere University, Dr. William S. Kalema described Aliker’s unusual entrance into the business world.
Dr Kalema noted that Aliker did not enter the world of commerce through the traditional route from the bottom up; he was not a management trainee, working his way up the management ladder, up to the Managing Director’s office, and thence to the Board Room.
He was not the conventional businessman who might have started in trade, diversified into real estate, established a manufacturing enterprise, or gone into commercial farming. We have several examples of such business leaders whose achievements are a source of inspiration to many of us.
By contrast, Aliker’s long engagement with the business world has been that of an investor, a shareholder in successful businesses, and as a Director and Chairman of the Board of many reputable companies hence the nickname ‘Chairman’.
Starting in the 1960s, Aliker began buying shares in major companies, including the Uganda Commercial Bank and the National Insurance Company.
And for that, Aliker was a shareholder and sat on many boards including Stanbic Bank Uganda, Uganda Clays Limited, Nation Media Group, National Insurance Corporation, and East African Breweries, among others.
He also sat on the Actis East African Advisory Board, launched by Actis, the private equity firm affiliated with the Commonwealth Development Corporation.
In Uganda, Dr. Martin Aliker’s name is almost synonymous with the highest standards of corporate governance.
Thus, his most direct impact was through corporate governance – which Dr Kalema defines as “the balance of control between stakeholders, managers, and directors of business”.
Establishing a sound corporate governance framework involves not only adopting best practices on standards and codes but understanding the underlying country complexities within which businesses operate and in a country such as Uganda with a marked history of political, economic and social instability presents formidable challenges.
To address these challenges it is also important for one to understand the subtle process that has characterised the evolution of the private sector in Uganda, as we know it today.
“To members of the future generation, my parting advice is: “Always be true to yourself”. This is the last sentence in Martin Aliker’s book; ‘The Bell is Ringing: Martin Aliker Story’.
Since the news of his death cut through corporate Uganda, many people have eulogised him glowingly.
But perhaps the best tribute came from businessman Kwame Ejalu, who considered him both a friend and mentor.
“Dr Aliker (Our Chairman of Chairmen) has rested. A gentleman with endless humour. May Camille and the family be comforted by their treasured memories,” Kwame posted on X (formerly Twitter).