By Staff Writer

BEHIND the big rectangular monitor screen of the Macintosh computer, a slender man sits. Donning an impeccable black clerical garb, he adjusts his spectacles to make out of what he is typing.

He is about fifteen minutes earlier than our appointed time for this interview. But, rather than wait through the remaining time, he makes use of it to punch up on the state-of-the-art computer, something about his profile. After all, this is what the interview would be about.

On the dot of our scheduled time, I trudge in to wait for him, only to be surprised of his own waiting for me. Rev Fr Epiphany Odubuker Picho is another Prof. Apolo Nsibambi (Uganda’s Premier) in keeping time. He laughs as he sees me check my watch.

He has trained to be on time, because he trains teachers. He is the brain (and definitely the legs) behind the success of St John Bosco Primary Teachers’ College, Lodonga, in Yumbe District, West Nile. The academic institution, which has put the northwestern part of Uganda on the academic front, has emerged best in national exams for the nth time now.

A few years ago, however, it was an institution in the backyard, in terms of education. When Fr Epiphany was posted there, first as a tutor and later at the helm of the college, it gradually and steadily pulled from the periphery to make a name for the otherwise little known district.

His discipline is a whole lot of a contributory factor to Londonga’s academic glory. Epiphany has been through all kinds of courses for his own academic prowess, which no doubt translates into the performance of the students who have gotten chance to go through his hands.

In stature, he is a man you will immediately dismiss for attention. That is if you are looking out for the stereotype potbellied guys who pass for VIPs. But, I have to rush this interview, because I got this very busy man out of a crucial meeting.

Yet, he also is up to the interruption, since he wants to read what people say about him, before he catches the plane for a lecture he is expected to present in Ireland a few days from our interview.

Epiphany, a member of the Missionaries of Jesus the Divine Master (Divine Master Missionaries - MIDM), holds a diploma in Philosophy and Social Sciences – with Psychology and Socialogy. While in the major seminary, he also earned a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, with honours.

From Makerere University, he holds a postgraduate Diploma in Education, for which he majored in Religious Studies and Primary Methods (Foundations of Education). He has a Master’s degree in Education, in administration and planning of education. 

He also undertook educational management studies with the Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, which awarded him a Diploma in Advanced Educational Management. He has a PhD in Educational Administration, Planning and Management from Makerere University and is publishing books.

Born January 6, 1963 to Michael Loka Picho and Sophia Angom Picho in Ragem Village, Nebbi District, Epiphany did elementary schooling at St Joseph Primary School, in Gulu and at Alli Ragem. He also attended Panyimur and Pajobi Primary Schools in Nebbi, before joining secondary at Angal SSS for his Ordinary level and St Aloysius College, Nyapea for Advanced level.

When he hastened to the call, Epiphany joined Alokolum Major Seminary, Gulu, from where he proceeded to Katigondo Major Seminary, in Masaka District. There, he felt desirous to join missionary work and successfully applied to enter the MIDM novitiate. Upon completing the required term as novice, he joined Ggaba National Major Seminary for Theology and Pastoral Care, where he earned a diploma and Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology with Honors from Urban Pontificate University – Rome.

It was from there that he was allowed to continue to Makerere University for advanced studies. Having been ordained priest on completion of his Theology, he was appointed tutor by the then national Teaching Service Commission, which posted him to the PTC of St. John Bosco.

Derementally, he was appointed first chaplain of the college after its wreckage by the then liberation war that ushered President Yoweri Museveni into government.

Fr Epiphany then established both the department of Religious Education and College Chaplaincy. In 1996, he was appointed caretaker principal. After putting the college afoot, in the year 2000, he embarked on his own education up grading.

With practical and academic values, he was substantiated as principal. In 2004, he completed his doctoral studies in record time, after a successful Public Viva Voce defence and submission of the research dissertation on Management of the Primary Schools.

Recalling his time at Makerere, the missionary says the programme was a challenging PhD that consisted of rigorous taught courses. These took him approximately one and a half years, beside another one and a half years for writing the dissertation.

“I completed both coursework and dissertation writing in only one year and eight months, he reminisces.” Fr Epiphany took the programme in October 2004 and completed it on June 15, 2006.
It is argued that by his speed and time of completion, he broke a record in the history of Makerere University, which is the oldest higher institution of learning in Uganda. Talking of Epiphany, his missionary colleague argues that the priest has demystified the theory that “to get a PhD in Makerere University, one needs ten years.”

Fr Epiphany reveals that two professors, Martin E. Amin of Cameroonian nationality, and Prof J. C. S. Musaazi supervised him. Says Epiphany, “Prof Amin has imparted unto me such an invaluable wealth of knowledge of advanced research, which has ostentatiously shaped my work.

“My indebtedness spills over to The Commonwealth whose chair, Prof Amin occupied in Makerere University at the time of my research and study, particularly in the Department of Higher Education, to extend the frontier of knowledge in the research world.”

The priest acknowledges Prof Musaazi as a celebrated intercontinental don. He was one of my two research supervisors and in-depth lecturer in Administrative Theory, Educational Planning and Administration, Policy studies and Doctoral Dissertation Seminar. His fascinating lectures, untiring tutelage, counsel, guidance and encouragement explain my height in the realm of educational administration, planning, management and academia.”

Rev Fr Dr Epiphany Picho is a product of very many scholars and institutions. He exudes this integral experience in everything, including his practical teaching and writing skills. His doctoral dissertation titled, “Headteachers’ Management Training Programme and their Competencies in Management of the Primary Schools in North-West Nile Uganda,” has unearthed too many an issue on primary education in the region.

Fr Picho graduated in absentia as he was on annual leave in the UK. But, he spent the time studying the education system in Northern Ireland. He also took time to observe lessons in the primary schools, attend parents’ meetings and observe Religious Education inspections in the schools.

A principal of primary teacher colleges since 1996, he also supervises research work at Lodonga. He is an external examiner of various institutions in and outside Uganda. He is general secretary of the Principals’ Association of Uganda (PAU) and chairman Principals’ Association of Uganda in the West-Nile zone.