In February this year, eight Ugandans were appointed by Pope Francis as Knights and Dames because of their contribution to the Catholic Church.
The knights included Emmanuel Katongole the Chairman Quality Chemicals Industries Limited, Joseph Yiga, the managing director Steel and Tube Industries, Dr Saturanius Kasozi Mulindwa, the Chairman Rubaga Foundation, Anthony Mateega, the vice president Uganda National Catholic Council of Laity Apostolates and Prof Peter Kasenene, a parishioner of Mbuya Parish. Prof Kasenene is former head of laity in Uganda and also former head of the laity in Mbarara Archdiocese.
The dames were Regina Yiga, from Munyonyo Parish, Mary Nansubuga and Thereza Mbire of Kansanga Parish.
Religious educator Kasenene’s dream to become a priest goes back to his childhood, having attended Kitabi Seminary in Bushenyi, falling short but never giving up.
Who is Prof Kasenene?
Peter K Kasenene was born on November 12, 1946 in Mbarara, Ankole, Uganda to Kworenga and Charles Kyambarango.
Kasenene holds a diploma Bachelor’s in Education from Makerere University; a Master of Arts still from Makerere University and a Doctor of Philosophy, from the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
After graduating, the young, Kasenene served as a Teaching Assistant at Makerere University from 1974 to 1977, the went on to become a full Lecturer at the same university, from 1977 to 1981. Between 1981 to 1982, he briefly lectured at Kenyatta University in Kenya as well as the University of Nairobi.
In 1982, he left for the University of Swaziland (now University of Eswatini – Kwaluseni) where he lectured until 1989. During this time, he also became the head department religious studies. Between 1989 to 1990 he also became a visiting professor, at Brandon University, Manitoba, Canada.
Kasenene served in the 2001 Uganda Cabinet as Minister of State for Finance (Privatization)
Absa, ENS Africa, A&O Shearman and Nomura Advise Asahi Holdings on USD 2.3bn Acquisition of 65% Stake in EABL“In 2001, I branched off to politics and was appointed minister of state for Finance, in charge of privatisation up to 2006. From that time, I became a full time plantation developer. I grow trees,” he said in a 2018 interview.
In August, 2017 Prof Kasenene was appointed chairperson to the board of the National Identification Registration Authority, a position he resigned in April the following year citing health reasons.
He has been listed as a noteworthy Theology and religious studies educator by Marquis Who’s Who.
Life values
Prof Kasenene, in the 2018 interview, revealed that person he admires for his values is Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, former Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese.
“He is the person I have strong admiration for. I have worked with him, like I have worked with many people, but I find him a holistic person. He is a very intelligent man, well read, he is respectful and mindful of people in the way he relates with them, he is humble, selfless. For me, those are values I cherish a lot,” Prof Kasenene said
Family
Prof Kasenene is married to Vincent Kibagara Kasenene with whom they have four children: Elizabeth, Edgar, Paul, Charles.
