R.I.P Prof. William Ssenteza Kajubi. Yesterday morning, since I had no car, I entered Makerere via the small route that connects to School of Education. My program for the day was to passby Makerere Stanbic bank for purposes of depositing my young brother’s tuition fees, visit the saloon, go for a table talk meeting with one Businessman in town, meet the Lord Mayor’s Spokesperson Ali Mulyanyama, meet the DP Flag bearer Buganda Royal Institute, go to Konrad Adenuear Stiftung for the final drafting of Inter-Party Youth Platform workplan and then to Bugolobi at the late Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi’s residence for the service organize by his party DP as my facebook status update read on Wednesday.

I was analytical to closely look at the monument that was erected infront of the Office of the Dean, School of Education at Makerere. When I moved closer to it, I saw that it was laid specifically in memory of the former Vice Chancellor Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi. I wanted to move closer to take a photo with my blackberry but since the grass was still wet, I felt sorry for my shoe. But that aside, I was convinced that the Makerere University did not wait to see him die to remember him contrary to Chameleone’s song “Basiima ogenze” which literally poses wonders why people always appreciate dead bodies.

At exactly 3:00pm, I was at Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi’s residence in Bugolobi. I met Hon. JB Kawanga, Hon.Ssebuliba Mutumba, Hon. Damiano Lubega and Hon. Bazira Ssewanyana. We were later joined by Wasswa Ziritwawula, PPP Chairman Jaberi Bidandi Ssali and several other DP members. After a short while, the Reverend and the Choir arrived and we started preparations for the service. While preaching, the Reverend reminded us that this earthly life is a journey and we are all destined to follow Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi. He also wondered why some people have failed to appreciate that we are visitors on this world by ending up acting and behaving the way they want. He emphasized that visitors are supposed to be served.

After the service, Hon. Mathias Nsubuga, took charge, he spoke briefly about our befallen Comrade Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi before inviting the DP Vice President for Buganda region Hon. Ssebuliba Mutumba to say a word. He thanked Prof. Kajubi for his efforts to see that the education system gets to where it is now although the poor standards that we witness these days was not his target and wish. Hajji Mukasa Mudirikati former MP 1980s who worked with him during his youthful days referred to him as a caring man who always wanted to see good out of evil. The Youths of the Democratic Party were represented by Waiswa Alex Mufumbiro former DP Candidate in the recently concluded Jinja Municipality East Constituency by-elections. He promised elders that the current DP Youths have no price tag attached to them and they are ready to work for victory until DP is in State House. Hon. Bazira Ssewanyana appreciated the services rendered by Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi specifically in his clan, the “Nsenene clan”. He appreciated him for having done a very wonderful job to unite the Nsenene clan.

The Makerere University Librarian Prof. Maria Musoke was invited and she talked about Prof. Ssenteza at length. She said that he used to call her “Maria Theresa” for purposes of motivating her. She told the mourners that she rose to where she is now because of him. She appreciated him as a caring Vice Chancellor who fed the University during the 1979 war and that up to now no one knows where he got the food from given the days’ road blocks. Prof. Maria Musoke talked a lot about Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi both as an academician, politician and family friend.

Prof. Joseph Mukiibi, former DP National Chairman read his speech about Prof. Kajubi and said that he was very disappointed when voters did not cast votes in favour of Prof. Kajubi when he contested some time and instead preferred a drunkard in the names of Mulindwa. But he was happy that when Prof.Kajubi performed wonders and miracles when he went to the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha especially when he fought for the salaries of employees in East Africa.

Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemwogere too read his speech about Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi and he said he appreciated his obedience to the Democratic Party especially when he worked closely with the Late Benedicto Kiwanuka. He was at one time appointed as the Special Advisor to the DP President Benedicto Kiwanuka and all these were pro bono appointments without a salary. He appreciated his contribution in the political and academic arena and he prayed that his soul Rests in Eternal Peace.

The Speaker of Makindye Sabagabo, Walakira Nyanzi was also welcomed to read his speech on behalf of the members of DP youth Brigades and activists. He described the late professor as a pure man whom Ugandans have greatly missed. Walakira further urged the children of the late Professor to follow the footsteps of their father and work for truth and justice. Truth and Justice is the motto of the Democratic Party.

The DP President Hon. Norbert Mao was invited to close the function officially. He started on the note of Prof. Joseph Mukiibi on how voters misunderstand political candidates. He said the current political system is like a sewage system whereby when you flash it is the big chunks that remain on top. He said he has been disappointed to see that some names of prominent leaders and politicians cannot be named after newly born babies because they have no legacy. He said he worked with Prof. Ssenteza Kajubi at Makerere University when he was Guild President. He strongly called for reconciliation in party as the funeral of Prof. Kajubi had brought together DP Officials who have not been Seeing Eye to eye after the Mbale Delegates Conference.

He called on all members to work for unity in DP as the late would not love to see the Party disgruntled. He said Prof. Kajubi was not a political gambler and he was very clear on where he stood and if you wanted to associate with him, one had to first sort out themselves first. He promised to dedicate his time to serving the Party as a full time Politician borrowing a leaf from the deceased. He thanked the family for accepting to recognize and accordingly welcome Democratic Party on their late father’s funeral.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Nalongo Babirye said that they were very much honoured to have DP during the trying moment.

He thanked the DP President Hon. Norbert Mao and the DP Executive and members who were available and they included among others; Mukasa Mbidde, Bigirwa Moses, Herbert Rutagwera, George Komakech, Dr. Dronyi David, Deogratias Kijjambu as Hon. Nsubuga kept on introducing all those who were around. They said that they are now convinced that they are part of the cream of Kampala. They said their father used to love two quotations, “You are not above the Lord” which he used to point just for purposes of calling his children to order and the second one ”I owe you” which is the Nkumba University motto. Former DP member and Uganda’s current Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi with some other Ministers also came in later. By the time we left, preparations were going on for the Mengo Old Students’ service.

Rest In Peace Prof. William Ssenteza Kajubi!

Elvis E. Kintu

Executive Aide to DP President Hon. Norbert Mao