The Late J C Kiwanuka's contribution to SMACK is one reason it was worth celebrating 100 years in 2006

To join St. Mary’s College Kisubi after his degree at Nottingham University, the authority to whom the Late J C Kiwanuka applied to was the then Education Secretary for Catholic Schools. And on receiving a favourable reply to his application, the Late J C started teaching on 1st October 1951 up to 2001 making 50 years at SMACK!

J C Kiwanuka fare thee well (weraba) - The last journey to the Late J C Kiwanuka’s grave

Article below and photo from the New Vision of Sunday, 20th June, 2010 : http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/25/723325
Celebrating the life of the first Ugandan graduate teacher

By Constantine Odongo
and Harriette Onyalla
THE boys sang, their voices so divine! In the gallery of St. Mary’s College Kisubi Chapel, the resonance of song of the school choir (Cherubim) made hearts flutter with pride. Next to the altar, stood the casket of John Chrysostom Kiwanuka, in beautifully chiselled wood.
His life has come to an end, yet he lives on. For great men never die; they leave behind a light that illuminates the paths for generations to come.
Kiwanuka, no doubt, was a great man; the greatness that began with humility.
In 1951, JC, as he was fondly called, returned from the prestigious Nottingham University in London after graduating with a degree in Mathematics. In September that year, he was appointed a teacher at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK), one of the prestigious schools in the country.
But this appointment came with a hitch. There was only one teachers’ house (Brothers' Residence) with several bedrooms, a communal living room and kitchen which brothers shared as there were no lay teachers on staff. However, being the only teacher with no religious training, meant JC could not share accommodation with the Brothers. Until this point, only Brothers of Christian instruction taught at the school.
According to Paul Kawanga Ssemwogerere, the former Democratic Party President, the school administration offered JC a small room next to the Sickbay. As the only teacher in the country with a degree, JC could have declined the appointment on grounds of lack of good accommodation to get re-posted to another school that befitted him. After all, he was the only Ugandan teacher in the country with a University degree, but he did not.
“Teachers’ quarters were out of bounds to students. I was the only one who used to go to his house because I was the head prefect. It was a tiny room but having meals together with the Brothers helped a lot,” Ssemwogerere said.
But this was not to be the end of the graduate teacher’s woes. Having been posted to SMACK by the Ministry of Education (Correction: the Late J C applied to the then Secretary for Catholic Schools so that he is appointed to teach in his former school (SMACK. The Brothers decided to put him on probation.
“The Brothers did not want someone new to take on teaching a subject like Mathematics, so they made him teach Geography, in the lower classes,” said the Prime Minister, Henry Kajura, one of JC’s oldest students.
But the stout, deep-voiced fresh graduate took this in stride. His manner soon became infectious. He made friends among the staff and won the admiration of his students, most of whom coveted his Nottingham University blazer and black leather shoes.
“He was a terrific person. When he donned his Nottingham jacket, we were mesmerised. But he spoke too fast because of the influence of his years in Britain. At one time we complained about it but the headmaster told us to give him time. With time we not only got used to the way he spoke, but also began mimicking his speech,” Kajura said, causing laughter among the mourners.
And that was the mood during JC’s Requiem Mass. Memories of humour, of the disciplinarian, of passion, of JC — the man with an illustrious life that began on July 27, 1919.
Early life
JC was born to the Late Simeo and Donatina Katuba in Kasaala, Luweero district.
He went for 'mugigi' (religious instruction) in 1929, before joining Primary One and Primary Two, then known as elementary vernacular school, which he completed in 1930.
JC attended classes three and four, now Primary Three and Four, in 1931 and 1932 before joining Lubaga Middle/High School in 1933, where he began learning English. In 1935, he joined Kitovu Middle/High School and then St. Mary’s College Kisubi in 1937, where he was fated to return and put his best foot forward in educating men who would one day sit at the helm of the development of this nation.
JC’s class was the second in the school to write the Cambridge School Certificate Examinations in 1940.
“Interestingly, Makerere College was then not accepting the Cambridge School Certificate for admission. He, therefore, had to take the Makerere Entrance examinations, too, both of which he passed well,” Monsignor Charles Kasibante, the Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese, said.
However, JC was not allowed to choose the subjects to major in at Makerere College, which was at the time offering only diploma courses. However, Kiwanuka’s benefactor, Bishop Joseph-Georges-Édouard Michaud wanted him to become a teacher. He graduated with a diploma in education in 1943.
For two years, he taught at Nandere Primary School and transferred to Lubaga Junior School to follow up his scholarship Buganda Government under Mutesa II to study in United Kingdom and later at Nottingham University.
“For heaven’s sake do not pass water on the roadside!” Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police, said JC remarked during the orientation week when he had just joined for Higher School at SMACK in 1974. The boys roared with laughter, but it stuck in their minds because of the way JC had said it. “Every time you tried to do otherwise, your mind would replay the warning and you would zip up and look for the nearest toilet,” Kayihura added.
Isaac Mawejje, who was in the last class JC taught before he retired in 2001, said JC always taught them the importance of hard work.
“If you do not work hard, you will end up washing the panties of girls from Gayaza High School, who will be having big jobs in future,” Mawejje, now working with Post Bank, recalls JC telling them. To the teenage boys, the thought of ending up as house workers for the girls they were always trying to impress was not welcome.
Later responsibilities
As the President of the St. Mary’s Old Boys’ Association, the Association made an appointment with Governor Andrew Cohen to discuss the High School Certificate (HSC) in the school. On August 19, 1956 , on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the College, the Governor said he had allowed the school to start teaching HSC (now A’ level).
As an education minister in the short-lived 1961 Democratic Party Government, JC, who had been the President of the Uganda Teachers’ Association (UTA)knew the problems that existed in the profession. Consequently, through the Lawrence Commission Report with some adjustment, their Government improved teachers’ salaries and conditions of service, enacted the teachers’ pension scheme, equalled salaries of male, female lay and religious teachers. They also awarded 300 scholarships to suitable candidates in all walks of life including tailors and shoe makers.
The education ministry under JC also started HSC in girls’ schools like Gayaza High School, St. Mary’s Namagunga and Trinity College Nabbingo Other schools like Bishop’s SSS Mukono, Kibuli SSS, Christ the King Girls’ School Kalisizo, Mary Hill High School, Lubiri SSS, and Kiira College built by the Kyabazinga, were given initial government grants. The board of governor’s rules for senior secondary schools and teachers’ colleges were also enacted during this short time.
And yet, Kiwanuka still returned to teach at SMACK in the evenings.
According to Dr. George Mayanja, one of his former students, Kiwanuka’s dream of making 50 years of service got a hitch on his 47th year of service when he clocked retirement age. The Government stopped paying his salary but five SMACK Old Boys made sure the ageing man achieved his dream. They contributed money monthly to cater for his upkeep, until he clocked 50 years in service.
The house to which he retired in Kawuku trading centre, off Entebbe Road, was bought for him by the SMACK Board of Governors. JC has been living on his pension and occasional help from some Old Boys of St. Mary's College Kisubi.
At his granddaughter’s Sisterhood the day he died, his grandchildren realised JC was not well. But he ate, drank and danced with them.
It later turned out it was his farewell. When his children dropped him home, Kiwanuka, who had been battling with cancer of the vocal chords, went to his bedroom and breathed his last.
Charles Mbire, a Kampala businessman, and one of Kiwanuka’s old students, had offered to take him abroad for treatment, but the old man declined, saying he was ready to meet his maker.
Florah Mugwanya, one of his seven children, talked about a time when, at 16 years, in Senior Four vacation, she was teaching at Savio Junior School.
“One day it rained and I did not go to teach. Dad came back and found me at home. When I told him why I had not gone to work, he went to his bedroom and wrote me a note: ‘Where there is work, there is no rain’,” Mugwanya, now an accountant in London, said.
She said their mother, Hilda Nabitaka Kiwanuka, died when she was only 12 and their father took on the responsibility of raising them up single-handed.
After the Requiem Mass, the Late J C Kiwanuka’s body was put to public viewing which took quite some time. The mourners were invited to a heavy lunch courtesy of St. Mary’s College Kisubi. For this, it’s a thumbs-up for Brother Bukenya and all the parties that were involved in the preparation.
J C’s body was transported from SMACK at past 3.00pm. At least the only and only Major General Kale Kaihura provided a minimal of three cars for escort. One patrol was on the lead, a small car and another at the end of the convoy! The body and those who accompanied it arrived around 6.00pm at the village home of the Late J C Kiwanuka.

On Thursday 17th June 2010 the day for the burial of the Late J C had Mass which started around 11.00am. The Police band was in place to add colour to the function. Unfortunately, Bishop Semwogerere was not around but he delegated to Father Sebugwawo who was together with Mons. Charles Kasibante Vicar General; Kampala Archdiocese a relative of the late J C Kiwanuka.
The mourners were so many that when it came to serving food it proved so hard to serve them well. I can say, the children and relatives of J C Kiwanuka were overwhelmed by the love the Late was shown and they are so grateful.

J C Kiwanuka fare thee well (weraba) Petitions

What Dr. G.H. Kkolokolo wrote about the Late J C Kiwanuka on his 90th Birthday – 27/7/2009
Let me use this great occasion, when we solemnly mark Prof J. C. Kiwanuka’s 90th anniversary, to say some thing about that special class at St Mary’s College Kisubi, the class that brought uppermost honour and dignity to SMACK, to Uganda and to East Africa. That was our first A-Level group (1959 – 1960) of our HSC section, Prof. J.C. Kiwanuka’s brainchild! It was a special contingent composed of thirty very wonderful students who had shone brilliantly in their O-Levels at their distinctive colleges of origin: SMACK, St Henry’s, Namiryango, St Leo’s Kyegobe, St Peter’s Tororo, St Aloysius Nyapea, some students from the Seychelles, Kenya, Tanganyika. This very eminent inaugural group, whose classes / tuition started slightly earlier than in other sister colleges which had also been authorized by the then British Protectorate Government to open an HSC section, similarly with 30 students each (Buddo, Makerere College School, and Mbale S.S.S.) was a very marvellous team. And the inauguration gave them added privileges that made them look more special than other students who literary feared them to the extent of even nodding to them as they passed! They had blue blazers whereas for the rest of the college the blazer was black, they sat in the upper section of the refectory, they slept in the western wing of Kiwanuka House, they received a pocket money allowance and never paid any school fees, they never washed even a simple utensil after meal, they never did any manual labour, they could go out on Saturdays after simply noting their names in an open absence-register, and they had their elegant building to house their classrooms, their very well-equipped library and their private study cubicles each one accommodating six students. That HSC block, constructed by Rev Bro Paul Bourget, then a simple member of staff, immediately became a legend when O-Level students began to humorously refer to it as a “Beyond the Atlantic”. In other words crossing the Atlantic would mean being admitted to our HSC where one would enjoy some privilege. True, since its occupants were indeed the envy of even their companions who had been admitted for the somehow equivalent Intermediate pre-degree course at Makerere University which was offered not by Cambridge University but by London University. The HSCs also had the best teachers in the region since many of them were even regularly requested to give a hand at Makerere or in other institutions and a good number of them were subsequently recruited to top gear positions in government and other leading institutions!
The section with its newly arrived S5 was inaugurated with pomp. I was at Savio and we had an invitation to attend. The ceremony took place right in front of the HSC Building in the presence of all students with the new HSCs in their blue blazers receiving a bewildered gaze from every angle, many eminent personalities on Kisubi Hill were also present, and a skyline of prominent notables who included the then Archbishop of Lubaga, His Grace Joseph L. Cabana, the Great Benedicto Kiwanuka who by then was the region’s shining political star, Dr Josephine Nnambooze the newly qualified first woman doctor in the whole of East Africa and whose presence on any important occasion wouldn’t pass unnoticed, Rev Fr Modeste Raux, founder of SMACK, Rev Bro Arthur Greenwood, the much celebrated Provincial Superior of the Brothers of Christian Instruction, many leading OBs and European guests from Kampala and Entebbe. The H/M, Rev Bro Oscar, delivered a very brilliant speech which moved every attendee and guest; he then called on the Uganda Protectorate Director of Education to officially declare open the section. He too, before proceeding to acts, gave a very moving speech praising St Mary’s College Kisubi as a very original and intelligent school. He then performed the official ceremony by cutting the “rope” and then by opening the main entrance with a special key. Then guests and students began flocking inside the elegant building to admire the interior set-up, notably the cubicles which were to help turn that special edifice into the breeding ground of some of Africa’s topmost brand intellectuals, geniuses and pragmatic edifiers! And outright, SMACK’s first HSC Section had set the stage for this reality! Let’s now get a glimpse of this wonderful group which made history for East Africa, Uganda and SMACK by a massing far more than half of all certificates awarded by Cambridge to Uganda and by heaping up piles of Principal Level passes in virtually every subject!
By Dr. George Herman Kkolokolo

J C Kiwanuka fare thee well (weraba) - Some of the students taught by the Late J C

Old Boys of St. Mary’s College who were taught by the Late J C Kiwanuka
Name Years at SMACK
1. Moses Bwango Musinguzi 1990 – 1996
2. Patricio Abibo
3. Richard Agubango
4. Collin Agaba
5. Kenneth Agaba
6. Alfred Agaba
7. Ambrose Agona
8. Fabian Ahaisibwe
9. Jimmy Aizire
10. Roger Agamba
11. Patrick G Akabwai
12. Robert Akona
13. John Michael Alai
14. John B Aliga
15. Barnabas Aliyo M
16. Apollo Angole
17. Cyrus Titus Aomu
18. Alex Araire
19. Franklin Asiimwe
20. Simdu Loemba Atuhaire
21. Somin Courbon Atuhaire
22. Cedic Babu
23. Andrew S Babumba – Kyeyune
24. Tony Bafirawa Kavuma
25. Emmanuel Bagenda
26. Bagenda Kabuye
27. James Bagonza
28. Hon Matia Baguma Isoke
29. Augustine Bahemuka
30. Silver Bahendeke
31.
32. Jordan Oscar Lubowa - 1982
33. Hillary Barugahare Ainomugisha 1998 - 2003
34. Simon Peter Ganya Nsubuga 1974 - 1977
35. Kyaboona George Herbert 2001 - 2002
36. Ben Kawooya 1964 - 1969
37. Ddembe William Willeese 1974 - 1977
38. Pascal Mujasi Nicholas 1993 - 1995
39. Joseph Kitamirike Serwanga 1978 - 1984
40. Godfrey Murangi Drago 1990 - 1996
41. Vincent Makmot Odul 1985 - 1991
42. Solomon Ondoma Mugisha 1996 - 1998
43. Mugambe Katureebe Ronald 1994 - 1999
44. John Nazareth 1961 - 1966
45. John Tusabe Jet 2001 - 2002
46. Reagan Kisembo Irumba Leonard 1998 - 2001
47. William Kituuka Kiwanuka 1974 – 1979
48. Hasan Shihab Muhammad 1994 – 1996
49. Paul Kato 1991 – 1997
50. Yese Mugenyi 1981 – 1987
51. Vincent Ssebugwawo 1988 – 1990
52. Alex Mukiibi Robert 1987 – 1990
53. Fred Kasirye Katongole - 1993
54. Daniel Lubowa - 1990
55. James Aryaija 1993 – 1998
56. Henry Kibirige Bagenda 1959 – 1962
57. Gilbert Kiracho Joseph 1985 – 1991
58. Agaba Mubangizi Anthony 1993 – 1999
59. Wilberforce Kizza 1973 – 1978
60. Arden Kitomari Muhumuza 1987 – 1991
61. Oyulu Patrick Paul 1983
62. Mubiru Richard 1996 – 1998
63. John Baptist Walugembe 1984 – 1985
64. Kateizi Deo 1994 – 1999
65. Lwanga Charles 1976
66. Mulema Stephen 1986
67. Emmanuel M Bukajumbe 1990
68. Lawrence Semugooma 2001
69. Arthur Kabuye 1998
70. Alexander Kintu 1979
71. Prof. Joseph Kugulu-kumu Mukiibi 1955
72. John C Ntale Kayondo 1970
73. Charles Odaga 1984 – 1990
74. Edward Wamala 1987 – 1992
75. Innocent Kyakuha 1986 – 1992
76. Joseph Byamugisha 1987 – 1993
77. Joseph Kobusheshe 1994
78. Stephen Kwesiga Aine 1990 – 1996
79. Allan Batte 1990 – 1995
80. Alex Kalimugogo 1990 - 1996
81. Gideon Ebenezer Kamya – lukoda 1997 - 1998
82. Augustine Muyomba Kasozi 1993 – 1998
83. Businge Weere 1998 – 2003
84. Patrick Lucaci 1997 – 1998
85. Michael Nyero 1986 – 1989
86. Robert Kiyonga 1992 – 1998
87. Christopher Lubega 1988 – 1992
88. Jonathan Namugowa Wanzira 1989 – 1995
89. Haggai Kijjambu 1998 – 1999
90. William Nkemba 1980 – 1986
91. Alex Twinimugisha 1987 – 1993
92. Michael Kasibante 1990 – 1996
93. David Kamanda 1990 – 1993
94. Edgar Beyaraaza 1993 – 1998
95. Brian Mutamba Byamah 1996
96. John Mukwonga Binkaboine Baguma 1997 – 2002
97. Vincent Erone 1993 – 1996
98. Raymond Lwere Mukwaya 1995 – 2000
99. Ivan Balihikya 1997 – 2002
100. Emmanuel Kabuzi 1978 – 1984
101. Innocent Mutimura 1990
102. Alex Ndibwami 1993 – 1999
103. Roman Bush Kimera 1990 – 1993
104. Andrew Kigozi Aaron 1992
105. Freddie Mpanga Sempa 1972 – 1976
106. Michael Mugaba 1993 – 1998
107. Mohammed Nkutu Kirunda 1992 – 1996
108. Stephen Magero Albert 1989 – 1992
109. Muganzi Alex Muganga 1994
110. Peter Mark Mutebi 1995 – 2000
111. Keith Kalyegira 1987 – 1989
112. Byron Maani Odo 1993
113. Peter Kagumya 1991 – 1994
114. Claver Bernard Serumaga 1993 – 1998
115. Maurice Barigye 1991 – 1997
116. Chris Kaweesa Aine 1992
117. Mwebesa Eddie 1991 – 1996
118. James Bagonza 1993 – 1998
119. Paul Kyoma Asiimwe 2001 – 2002
120. Eric Sande Rwigamba 1996 – 1997
121. Robinson Okwany 2001 – 2002
122. Ochole Moses 2001 – 2002
123. Aloysius Byaruhanga (Brother) 1967 – 1970
124. Allan Gahiire 1989 – 1992
125. Ronald Segawa 1993 – 1998
126. Caesar Kisoro 1987 – 1992
127. Charles Katongole Mbidde 1991 – 1997
128. Carmelo Malara 1994 – 1996
129. Paul Kasujja 1985 – 1991
130. Joseph Lubega Nnakirya 1995 – 1997
131. Brian Musoke 1995 – 1998
132. Simeon Peter Kibirige 1989 – 1995
133. Arnold Mwesigye 1990 – 1996
134. Yiga Simon
135. Timothy Musoke 1994 – 1996
136. Michael Mutyaba Romeo 1995
137. Swithin Mutaasa 1991 – 1997
138. Simon Karimba Rwabigwi 1990 – 1997
139. Alex Mbonimpa 1993 – 1998
140. Charles Kasozi 1983 – 1989
141. Moses Byarugaba Calvin 1986 – 1993
142. Brian Baingana 1997 – 2002
143. Hassan Ochen 1993 – 1994
144. Solomon Baganja Thomas 1992 – 1995
145. Francis Matete T 1994 – 1999
146. Raphael Ssozi Ddamulira 1997 – 1998
147. Godfrey Omony 1992 – 1998
148. James Byaruhanga 1995
149. Ssempebwa Frederick 1959 – 1964
150. Andrew Lwebuga Raymond 1993 – 1998
151. Edmund Kamugisha Joseph 1994 – 1997
152. Vianney Kabera 1983 – 1989
153. Samuel Owor 1996 – 2001
154. Wilson Abigaba 2000 – 2002
155. Brian Byarugaba 1994 – 1999
156. Alfred Acanga 1994 – 1997
157. John Wallace Nkurunungi 1994 – 1996
158. Henry Ssali 1994 – 1997
159. Joseph Nsambu Musisi 1965 – 1970
160. Vincent Kasenge 2000 – 2003
161. Richard Dungu 1956 – 1960
162. Emmanuel Kwizera 1996
163. Wilson Oryema 1992 – 1995
164. Bigirwa Bernard 1994 – 1996
165. Martin Kaddu 1975 – 1981
166. Andrew Opolot 1980 – 1986
167. Ernest Mwebaze Tonny 1993 – 1998
168. Silvester Bwetabure Sabakaki 1998 – 2003
169. Daudi Ariyo 2000 – 2005
170. Isaac Mpagi 1995 – 1998
171. Angelo Mugisa 1996 – 2001
172. Alex Mubiru Mutebi 1982 – 1988
173. Henry Ntale 1980 – 1986
174. Roger Rukundo 1998
175. Denis Kasadha 1996 – 2001
176. Louis Sekyewa 1997 – 1998
177. David Katimbo Mugwanya 1998 – 2003
178. Festus Kibuuka 1971 – 1974
179. Edward Nelson Kamoga 1985 – 1991
180. David Martin Kayondo 1985 – 1990
181. Mark Musumba 1993 – 1998
182. Robert Bolingo Kwanza 1994 – 1997
183. Roger Ochen Ochola 1991 – 1998
184. Paul Kaiggwa 1984 – 1988
185. Ronald Kavulu 1991 – 1994
186. Raymond Nowe Nigel 2000 – 2003
187. Phillip Balimunsi Mubiru 1984 – 1990
188. Saadiq Ali Juma Abubaker 1993 – 1996
189. Deogratius Waddimba Mugwanya 1983 – 1984
190. Joseph Mukasa Kaggwa 1989 – 1995
191. Brian Muhumuza Peter 2000 – 2005
192. Derrick Miganda 1991 – 1994
193. Paul Serunkuma 1991
194. Keith Nico 1984 – 1985
195. Richard Byamugisha 1998 – 2004
196. Edwin Kwesiga 1992 – 1998
197. Patrick Muleme 1995 – 1997
198. Francis Mawanda 1992 – 1995
199. Kassim Nakibinge 1982 – 1988
200. Sergio Tinkamanyire Mugisha 1981 – 1983
201. Kenneth Kiddu 1986 – 1989
202. Celestine Ishengoma 1998 – 2003
203. Emmanuel Mugabi 1995
204. Richard Mugisha 1995 – 1998
205. Ban Ngasi 1988 – 1992
206. Edward Lubuulwa 1981 – 1984
207. Ham Namakajjo 1991 – 1995
208. Anthony Opwonya 1988 – 1991
209. Erasmus Othieno 1972 – 1975
210. Hermann Kalungi 2000 – 2001
211. Alex Nyika 1998 – 2003
212. Roger Wamara 1978 – 1984
213. Samuel Dawa 1987 – 1993
214. Thomson Ngabirano 1988 – 1990
215. Jude Thaddeus Golooba 1996 – 1999
216. Kiwanuka Francis 1986 – 1990
217. Christopher Nambale 1987 – 1993
218. George Opio 1977 – 1978
219. Richard Makumbi 1990 – 1993
220. Michael Kutanwa 1990 – 1994
221. Edward Ssewanyana 1994 – 2000
222. Martin Deporre Bamukunde 1995 – 1998
223. Joseph Sempa 1985 – 1991
224.



Prof. Francis Omaswa (When Interviewed by the Eagle Magazine team).
Eagle: Can you tell us about yourself?
Prof. Omaswa: I am Francis Omaswa and I am Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Uganda. I am an Old Boy of St. Mary’s College Kisubi. I have a family of five of which my only son was in SMACK.
Eagle: In which year did you join St. Mary’s?
Prof.: I joined St. Mary’s in January/February 1958.
Eagle: What combination did you offer at A- level?
Prof.: Well, I did Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Sub-Mathematics.
Eagle: After SMACK can you tell us about your life, the Institutions you have attended?
Prof.: I went to Makerere Medical School in July 1964 after SMACK. I completed my degree at the Medical School in March 1969. Then I went for Internship at Mulago Hospital before going to work in an upcountry hospital. I then enrolled for a Master’s degree programme in General Surgery at Makerere. The course was for three years (1971-1974). By then, the University of East Africa and not Makerere was issuing the degrees. After the course, I went to England to train in Cardio thoracic Surgery.
Eagle: What is your specialization?
Prof.: I am a specialized Cardio thoracic Surgeon that is to do with Heart Surgery; Surgery of the Lungs; Oesophagus and generally large blood vessels.
Eagle: What inspired you to become a Doctor?
Prof.: Well, at that time, most students who did sciences either ended up becoming Engineers or Doctors. Being a Doctor was the most popular. We had role models like Prof. Kyalwazi, the first black man to become a Specialised Surgeon with British Qualifications. Incidentally, he was also an Old Boy of St. Mary’s College Kisubi. As soon as he was back from abroad, he came to SMACK and gave a talk about his experiences. That was a great inspiration to me.
Eagle: How did SMACK prepare you for life’s challenges?
Prof.: I must say it was a good education now that I am where I am. First, the academic upbringing was very good. The strong moral and religious training was also very good. We had talks from the outsiders quite regularly. Those were useful; they kind of broadened the horizon. Extra Curricular enabled one to meet people outside the school system and some of the things that I practice today are a result of those interactions. The school was orderly, peaceful and with no problems of bullying.
Eagle: As Director of Health Services in Uganda, what plans have you for the Health Sector in our country, especially regarding the control and prevention of diseases like Malaria and AIDS?
Prof.: We have big Health Plans for the Health Service in Uganda. We have written a New Health Policy and a Strategic Plan to implement the policy. We have identified the major Health Ailments affecting our people like Malaria, Tuberculosis, AIDS and complications during Child Birth. We are going to establish Village Health Services in every LC1, and the purpose of these will be to switch people’s awareness to the importance of personal health. To be healthy is not just about getting up in the morning and going to sleep late in the evening. No. You have to work for your Health. Do you sleep enough? Do you eat the right foods? Is your household clean? That is what matters. A lot of illness is caused by the way we live. So, if you live in a way that will protect you from this illness, then you will live longer.
Eagle: Can you tell us about your fondest memories of St. Mary’s?
Prof.: We used to have picnics at a place near Nkumba. Then there was Swimming at Nabinonya and of course the School Feast Days. Generally, it was happy times at St. Mary’s.
Eagle: For students aspiring to be like you, what advice do you have for them?
Prof.: I think the message is really clear; life is to be lived fully. There is so much life has to offer but, first of all, you must have ambition. Aim high and be personally disciplined in order to reach the top. At the top, there are lots of opportunities since only a few people manage to get there. Also you should develop good public relations because you are going to have to deal with people from all walks of life that have different character traits. Avoid getting AIDS because really it is a disease, which is not like Ebola or TB, which you can get through air. Start early in order to achieve your goals self-perfection is permanent. Also, a spiritual life is very important. For you students at SMACK, the future is in your hands.