This article was first published in the New Vision on February 3, 2021
Tribute By, Prof. Eriabu Lugujjo
Two years have passed since Prof. Eldard Banda passed on.
Since his demise, the physics fraternity and its stakeholders have never paid tribute to this unique physicist.
It is for this reason that on behalf of all those that Prof. Banda impacted, to renovate and change their careers, to those who enjoyed the transformational nature of learning and living in a physical world, I write this short tribute about an academic icon I grew up with, studied and lived with.
Prof. Banda joined Makerere College School in lower Sixth Form (S.5) in January 1964 from Kigezi College, Butobere to pursue a science programme.
He was among a cohort of students admitted even before their O’level examinations were released. It was customary at the time for Makerere College School to admit top notch students from all over the country to begin their A’level programmes early, due to the rule of anticipation that whoever did well in mocks would have to perform equally well in his/her O’level Cambridge Examinations.
Many good students were admitted under this scheme and turned out to be successful citizens.
Having been at O’level at Makerere College School, I was part of the party that welcomed these new arrivals from upcountry.
Banda was a committed student and exceptional in a sense that he wrote more notes than those in textbooks. He reasoned that he wanted to learn science from his experiential background and environmental approach.
In our physics, chemistry and maths (PCM) class (10 in number), he was a pace-setter and ahead of the curve. It was hard to understand where he derived such energy and interest to study steadily all the time at that early age.
Retrospectively, however, it could have been that our tuition and upkeep were fully covered by our respective local governments.
A good student from far deep in the country had nothing to worry about, except concentrating on his/ her studies.
Because of his total immersion in his studies, few students outside the physicsand mathematics options had the privilege of interacting or understanding him. However, for me who was near him, I noted that he was a kind young man and wished people well except that he was overly shy.
His capability in physics and mathematics was manifested early on and by Upper Sixth (S.6), he was among the top performers in our small class.
Banda’s interest in a teaching career started in our last term at Makerere College School (around August 1965), when he began appreciating the work of our British teachers. They were extremely committed, especially in the preparation of practical lessons. My closeness to Banda brought our professional attitude and perception to a confluence.
He influenced my perception on observation and analysis and both of us opted for an academic career. We both entered Makerere University College (a constituent College of the University of East Africa in June 1966 to pursue a natural science programme, majoring in physics and mathematics. The mathematics department was on the second floor of the now desecrated Main Hall.
You had so much to contribute, but the fangs of death took you all with all. However, wherever you are, you are still busy with ‘magic numbers’. So long.
His Work At Makerere University
On returning to Makerere University, Banda found a department depleted of staff, given the political unrest of the time.
In fact, after the murder of Archbishop Janani Luwum in 1977, more staff left the university and three senior staff; Prof. Ilukor, Prof. Mugambe and Prof. Banda maintained the physics department, almost sharing all the courses among themselves.
Despite his heavy teaching schedule, Prof. Banda’s interest in research in solid state physics and related areas did not wane.
He was a visiting fellow at H.H Wills Laboratory, University of Bristol (UK), Research fellow at the University of Duisburg (Germany), Fulbright Scholars University of Illinois at Urban-Champaigne and visiting research fellow, Princeton University.
Prof Banda accumulated knowledge and experience all of which translated into quality graduate programmes in the physics department.
He authored 42 international publications and four books.
Prof. Banda gave almost free service to his alma mater at Makerere College School for over 30 years. He persevered to uphold its Motto, “Be Known by Works.”
He wanted to demystify physics so that everybody could understand it, especially the basis of the characters of the physical law. He always remained an essentially simple man, who loved simple people and simple groups and lived a simple life.
Simplicity resonated in all his work. This formed the greatness of his teaching style that made physics simple for ‘ordinary’ students to comprehend and enjoy the world of physics.
Gaining Scholarships
In our first year, all our lecturers were Europeans. Prof. Banda and I were again inspired to study further by the arrival of Prof. J. O Ilukor, the first Ugandan to attain a PhD in physics in 1968.
Initially, there was a deep perception that doctorates were a reserve for the Western world. This was a period of rediscovery and re-energisation by the Ugandan students.
On April 13, 1968, the least expected event took place. Banda married Norah quietly in his home town of Kisoro during the long vacation.
Prof. Banda and I graduated with a first class Bsc. in physics (3:2:1) and mathematics and physics (3:2:2), respectively in June 1969.
The then principal of the college, Prof. Y.K. Lule, invited both of us to his office. We did not know the reason for the invitation.
On our way to his office, Prof. Banda appointed me to be the main respondent to whatever the principal would ask. I declined this task for I thought that each one of us should be responsible for his action. Banda was uncomfortable.
On meeting the principal, he congratulated us and informed us that the university had already obtained scholarships for us to study in the US.
Prof. Banda was awarded the most lucrative Rockfeller Foundation Scholarship to cover his wife, a child and himself. I received the African American Graduate Scholarship (AFGRAD).
Banda went to Rochester University and I proceeded to California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) in September 1969.
At Rochester University, Banda interacted with some of the best physics professors in the world and perfected his teaching career.
He always wrote to me about the immense opportunities availed to graduate students in marking and assessing undergraduate work. A focused career was being sharpened.
Prof. Banda defended and attained his PhD in April 1974, the same month I also got mine, by a rare coincidence and grace of God.The writer is the vice-chancellor of Ndejje University
