Tribute to Ernest Gaster Mukasa Mukulu
Dear Mukulu,
At Kamuli Primary School, you helped to nurture and mentor many young people who went on to become some of the best at the secondary schools they attended. You demonstrated that one does not have to be extremely wealthy to help those in need. Your hunger for success in education spurred many of us to do our best. It was purely your passion and belief that every human being deserves a decent shot at life, that made me and many others.
You inspired me so much in my formative years. You came into my life at the time when my mother’s financial situation was at its worst. I have never asked you, but I believe that when you reported to start your teaching career at Kamuli Primary School, you saw how much some of us struggled to keep in school and felt duty bound to support us. You are a rare kind of person who helps strangers. One who helps without expecting anything in return.
I have always thought you are God sent. You financially supported my education at the time when my mother and I were running out of options. I would not be what I am today, if my life had not been intertwined with yours. Only you know, how you got me into Makerere College School, when I had given up all hope. Right from my teenage years, you took a very keen interest in my education and welfare. You drew me closer to you and even offered me a room to read for my final PLE and UCE examinations. I bet you had figured that where I lived, was not a good place for a person preparing for their final examinations.
You kept me around you and introduced me to drama acting which was your favourite passion then. You told me stories about the best local actors, and you shared your meagre savings from your acting with me. You introduced me to stage drama acting, although I fear disappointed you, because I neve excelled. Even then you did not give up on me. Even when I made bad decisions as an errant youth, you stuck with me. You gave me an example of what humanity means without saying much. You supported me when I had my first son at a very young age and I named him Ernest in your honour.
As an adult, you continued to support and encourage me more actively – by helping me navigate tricky demanding situations. You attended the celebration of all my academic milestones except one, and that was because it was out of the country. You are always proud of me, and I am equally proud of you. Because, I could not explain to my friends in high school how you became my guardian, yet we have no blood relationship, I baptised you Uncle. In truth you are more than that, because now that I have grown with a family of my own, I know that it takes more than being a mere uncle to unconditionally love, support and look after someone. You picked me up as a stranger and stuck with me. I wonder what you had to explain to your friends and relatives.
I hate Ugandan politics and try to avoid it but I always canvass for you and encourage my friends to vote for you whenever you run for political office. Although we never talk about this, I know that you know that I silently disapprove of your involvement in the politics of this country, because a person of your kind is way above the dirty games played. I am sure your desire to help humanity blinds you to the shenanigans of those you play the game with. I am comforted by the fact that you now do not seem to be involved in elective politics that much anymore and I hope that that one day, you will tell the world about what drives you to serve in a book.
You are my biggest and longest serving cheerleader after my mother. When my mother and I disagree, she runs to you, because she knows that I hold you in very high esteem. That I am likely to listen to you than any other person. In a way you are that big brother, I never had. The one who holds me by the hand and helps me steer through murky waters. My life is intricately woven with yours for the last 40 years, and most people may never know what you mean to me.
On this day, I pay tribute to you and thank you for all the support, guidance and mentoring since I was thirteen years old. May you enjoy this day and many more others like it. May God bless you with a healthy life for so many years that you get to see five other generations after you. Happy birthday, my teacher, uncle, big brother, mentor and cheerleader. In my life, you are a true legend.
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