Engr. Uwakhonye obtained the Bachelors degree (B.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Benin in 1982. In 1986 he obtained a Masters degree (M. Eng.) in Chemical Engineering from the same University, where he was a Federal Government Post-Graduate Scholar. He is a COREN registered Chemical Engineer(R.4783) and a member of the following professional bodies: Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Engr. Uwakhonye was a University don before joining NNPC Warri Refining & Petrochemical Company Ltd. in 1985 as a process engineer. In 1990 he joined Shell as a Senior Project Engineer where he handled various oil and gas facilities design, Costing, Planning, Construction and Project management tasks. He joined the executive board on full time basis in January, 2000.

Engr. Uwakhonye is aged 56 years, married with children.