There are individuals whose achievements are measured by titles and awards, and there are those whose greatest accomplishment is the institutions they build and the people they inspire. Prof. Percival Christopher Egau belongs firmly in the latter category.
For more than five decades, Prof. Percival Christopher Egau has quietly shaped engineering education, research and institutional development across Africa and beyond, devoting his life to advancing engineering education, scientific research and technological innovation.
From a young research assistant at Serere Agricultural Research Station in 1965 to becoming one of Africa’s respected engineering Late Prof. Percival Christopher Egau.
academics—reflects a lifetime of intellectual excellence, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to higher education.
Born on 16 March 1947 in Aboce Ward, Kasilo Town Council, Serere District, The Prof. of Electronics story is one of determination and purpose. At a time when opportunities for higher education in Engineering were scarce, through determination and academic brilliance, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the then University of East Africa, University College Nairobi (now the University of Nairobi) in 1970.
Supported by the Norwegian Agency for International Development (NORAD), he completed a Master of Science in Engineering at the University of Nairobi in 1973. A few years later, his pursuit of knowledge took him across continents as he was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan of the Australian Government to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Sydney, where he completed his PhD in 1981. During the same period, he also earned a postgraduate certificate in Management Development from the International Training Institute in Sydney, complementing his technical expertise with leadership and management skills.
During his doctoral studies, he contributed to cutting-edge astronomical research by designing and constructing an analogue backend for the renowned Fleurs Radio Telescope, demonstrating both scientific ingenuity and engineering precision.
Yet despite international opportunities, Prof. Egau remained deeply committed to Africa’s development.
His academic career saw him teach and conduct research at Makerere University in 1973, as a lecturer in Electrical Engineering., the University of Nairobi, Moi University and the University of Swaziland (now Eswatini), where he played transformative leadership roles. He established engineering departments,
He developed academic programmes and mentored generations of students who today serve as engineers, researchers, lecturers and innovators across the continent. One of his defining strengths was institution building.
Rather than simply occupying positions of leadership, Prof. Egau created systems capable of enduring beyond his tenure. As Founding Head of the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering at Moi University and later Founding Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of Swaziland, he laid firm academic foundations that continue to support engineering education today. Calm and unassuming Electronics Engineering guru
His leadership philosophy combined academic rigour with practical relevance. Students remember him not only for demanding excellence but also for encouraging innovation, critical thinking and ethical professional practice.
Throughout his career, Prof. Egau remained an active researcher and scholar with 32 internationally circulated publications, supervision of more than ten master’s and doctoral candidates, and presentations at 59 international conferences, seminars and workshops.
His expertise earned him recognition beyond his own institutions. He served as an external examiner for leading universities, reviewed scholarly journals and provided consultancy services in electronics, telecommunications, instrumentation and computing.
His distinguished career was recognised through numerous scholarships, fellowships and international awards, including fellowships in Australia and the United Kingdom and a World Bank-sponsored academic training scholarship.
In 1998, he undertook advanced technical training in Microsoft Official Curriculum courses in the United States, reflecting his willingness to embrace emerging technologies and remain at the forefront of engineering innovation.
A globally recognised External Examiner for leading universities, like the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University as well as a reviewer for several respected scientific journals, including the Kenya Journal of Science and Technology, the African Journal of Science and Technology, the African Academy of Science Journal and the University of Swaziland Research Journal.
In 2018, Prof. Egau returned home to join Soroti University as Professor of Electronics and founding Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology. His return represented both a homecoming and an opportunity to contribute to the growth of one of Uganda’s youngest public universities.
At Soroti University, he once again demonstrated his passion for institution building, serving on the University Senate, University Council, Appointments Board, Finance Committee, Admissions Board, Estates and Works Committee, Quality Assurance Committee and Students Affairs Committee, helping shape governance, academic standards and strategic growth.
Among his lasting contributions were the establishment of the Soroti Innovation ICT Innovation Hub and the Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, initiatives that is aimed at strengthening the University’s research capacity and expanding opportunities for technological innovation.
Those who worked alongside Prof. Egau describe him as humble, disciplined and deeply committed to academic excellence. He believed that universities should not simply produce graduates but develop problem-solvers capable of transforming society.
His influence extended well beyond lecture halls and laboratories. Through mentorship, guidance and example, he nurtured young academics and encouraged them to pursue research that addressed Africa’s development challenges.
As the founding Head of the Department of Electrical and Communication Engineering at Moi University Kenya, a position he held for nearly a decade
This appointment marked the beginning of an impressive record of institution building. As the founding head, he established academic systems, developed curricula and laid the foundation for engineering education that continues to benefit generations of students.
His leadership abilities soon earned him appointment as Dean of the Faculty of Technology at Moi University. His expertise later took him to the University of Swaziland (now Eswatini), where he again became Founding Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
His contribution to engineering education stands as an enduring testament to the power of knowledge, service and visionary leadership. Future generations of engineers, scientists and innovators will continue to benefit from the foundations he helped build.
The Professor of Electronics legacy lives on in the institutions he strengthened, the engineering programmes he established, the innovations he championed and the thousands of students whose lives he touched.
The measure of a teacher is not merely in the lessons delivered but, in the lives, transformed. By that measure, Prof. Percival Christopher Egau leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire long into the future.
Today, as we mourn the loss of our Founding Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at Soroti University, Professor of Electronics, leaves a mark that will influence the future of science, technology and innovation not only in Uganda but across the continent and beyond. His story is one of resilience, intellectual curiosity and service to society for countless students, young lecturers and researchers across Uganda, Kenya, Australia and Eswatini.
With burial for Saturday 18th July 2026, at 79 years, just few months shy of 80 yrs., the man who for over fifty years, built more than laboratories, departments and curricula, built capacity, inspired excellence and strengthened the engineering profession across Africa—an enduring legacy that will continue to shape scientists, engineers and innovators for years to come.
As Soroti University bids farewell to Prof. Egau, his contributions will remain deeply embedded in its foundations. As the University continues to expand its footprint in engineering, technology and innovation, his life stands as a powerful reminder that visionary leadership, sustained scholarship and dedication to service can transform not only universities but nations.