Eton Marus has made history by becoming the first Muslim associate professor in northern Uganda, which includes the Acholi and Lango sub-regions. In November 2024, he was promoted to the position of Associate Professor of Business Studies at Kabale University.
Eton joined Kabale University as a lecturer in 2018 and was promoted to senior lecturer in 2020. Before his tenure at the university, he served as deputy principal at the Uganda College of Commerce in Pakwach from 2011 to 2018. He had earlier worked at the college as a lecturer from 2008 to 2011.
Educational Journey
Born on September 28, 1978, to Mzee Rashid Eton and Jamila Eton, Associate Professor Eton is the fifth of 19 children, including five girls. Mzee Rashid Eton, a former businessman in Lira town, is currently the LC III chairperson of Bata Town Council in Dokolo District. The family boasts two PhDs, three master’s degrees, one bachelor’s degree, two diplomas, and a certificate. Prof. Eton also represented the Lango Muslim district in the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council’s general assembly for two terms, starting in 2012.
Eton’s academic journey began at Aderolongo Primary School in Dokolo District. He attended Bata Secondary School for his first two years of secondary education, then moved to Dr. Obote College for his senior three and four classes. He completed his advanced-level studies at Lango College.
Afterward, Eton enrolled for a Higher Diploma in Marketing at UCC Aduku, which he completed in 2001. He then joined Makerere University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2007. In 2010, he earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management from Gulu University.
Eton continued his academic pursuit by obtaining a Master’s in Business Administration from Cavendish University in 2012, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Uganda Management Institute in 2015. He began his PhD in Business Administration and Finance at Nkumba University in the same year. By the time of his promotion to associate professor, Eton had published 58 academic papers.
In His Own Words
In an interview with *The Friday Call*, Associate Professor Eton shared his determination to break the stereotype that Muslims do not prioritize education. “I didn’t get any sponsorship for my studies. I kept pushing hard because I wanted to motivate others,” he said.
“When you are in a place, you want to work hard so that you are not marginalized,” he added. Eton admitted that he was unaware of the absence of Muslim professors in the Acholi region, let alone northern Uganda.
Advice to Young Muslims
Associate Professor Eton advised young people to stay focused and avoid negative influences. “Many people will discourage you and tell you how difficult things are. Just read, and try as much as possible to learn from those you admire and consult often,” he recommended.
He also shared that collaborations with his juniors at various universities have helped improve his writing. “It’s important to be prayerful at all times,” he added, thanking Sheikh Yusuf Balinda and Imam Idd Kasozi for their encouragement.
Recalling his PhD journey, Eton shared, “When I was doing my PhD, Sheikh Balinda mentioned it in the mosque and asked Muslims to pray for me. He even joked that they would cane me if I failed. I didn’t want to embarrass the Muslim community, and that motivated me to work hard.”
