Tororo Broadcasting Network now targets Easter 2021

 

A turbulent year 2020 will only slow but not stop an idea whose time has come - that is Tororo Broadcasting Network Limited's Tororo RockCity Radio.

That was the end-of-year message from Geresom Okecho-Ochwo, co-chair of the committee in charge of the radio project, as he acknowledged they will not be able to live to their promise of being 'on air by December 31, 2020'.

"There have been several delays to our plans, but I can now confidently say that  all the equipment for RockCity will be ready for delivery in Tororo town on the 3rd week of January 2021," Okecho-Ochwo said in his end-of-year message released today.

The new target now, he indicated, is to have all equipment, and studios set up in Tororo district by Easter, and go LIVE before the new financial year starts.

In 2021, Easter will fall on Sunday, April 4, which is earlier than this year, with Easter Sunday falling on April 12. Good Friday will fall on Friday, April 2, Good Monday will be Monday, April 5, and Ash Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, February 17.

Several hurdles

"The year 2020 had many challenges, with the COVID-19 pandemic ranking top most - cause for several months of lockdown and hence interrupting many activities and instilling fear among the populace; we lost many people, including secretary to our committee - Rt Hon Mboti - very sad," said Geresom in his end of year message.

He added that, however not all was lost. "On a positive note, despite the nasty experience, we achieved unity of purpose that enabled us to collectively pool resources first to heed government appeal during lockdown to alleviate the plight of the vulnerable. We mobilized close to Sh46m in cash and kind for this purpose. Secondly, we embarked on an ambitious project to establish  the TACI radio/media - Tororo Broadcasting Network limited," he said.

"We, members of the radio committee, have been greatly humbled by your great response and commitment financially, materially and otherwise towards this project. our target was to have tbn switched on by 31/12/2020. this was not possible for the following reasons:

1. We were short of funds to pay 50% and 10% balance on transmission and studio equipment.

2.  Although delivery of studio equipment was ready by 18/12/2020 and 90% (cif ebb) paid we wanted to ease clearance and minimize transportation cost to Tororo by having transmission & studio equipment delivered at ebb at the same time.

3. UCC committed to allocate frequency to us in early January 2021.

4. Election process negatively affected full support from political leaders.

He explained that, "We would like you to take note that both equipment will be ready for delivery in the 3rd week of January 2021....therefore, as we wish you a blessed new year 2021, we make earnest appeal to each one of us to keep our dream alive. We need RockCity on air soonest. remit your contribution through the bank or via treasurer's mobile money account. 

Geresom concluded, "God bless us all as we strive to better the lives of our kith and kin through the radio project." 

*****

Tororo's politicians will get a new communication avenue
when Tororo Broadcasting Network's radio goes on air
December 31

📌  KWAR ADHOLA: Our people are praised for being hardworking. Now is the time for the Jopadhola, each of them, to show what they are capable of.

📌 TBN FUNDS committee has opened collection bank accounts with DFCU Bank Ltd, Acacia Branch to ease fundraising | Treasurer, Constant Othieno Mayende Mobile Money (MTN: 0772 590464 Airtel: 0751 233470) | There is also GoFundMe online

📌 TACI fundraising plan includes raising Sh12 million from each of the 52 Jopadhola clans, and also from Ugandans nationally and abroad

****

Last ditch drive to go live falls short

Early this month, the Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) has sent out an urgent appeal to well wishers to help plug a sh33million deficit, which if done, would have ensured the radio equipment is secured by Christmas.

"We have reached a very critical stage in our TACI media and radio project which we have been pushing since June 2020. The studio equipment we ordered will be ready for shipment. We however need to pay the balance," said treasurer Constant Othieno Mayende then.

The TBN fundraising committee last month  made a deposit of about UGX 57,600,000 (being 50% of the FOB cost of the radio transmitter and studio equipment).

" This is therefore an appeal to the Jopadhola and well wishers to urgently consider contributing towards this cause. We shall be glad to receive money from those fulfilling their pledges and those making new or additional contributions. This is the time to stand up and be counted as Jopadhola," Mayende said.

 

Equipment deal

Tororo Broadcasting Network Ltd signed a deal with a European radio and TV manufacturing company to secure top of the range transmission and studio equipment.

The TACI Jago (Prime Minister) Obbo Richard Josel early this year handed the task of raising sh600million for the TBN project to a committee of 31 eminent persons led by Okecho and Usher Owere.

Okecho-Ochwo asked members of the community the radio will serve in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, and all well wishers in the diaspora, to support the project. It will be the first full-time Jopadhola radio to hit the airwaves.

Tororo Rock and its surroundings. The radio 
is expected to dominate 
the Tororo airwaves in 2021

 TACI task committee

"It was agreed that a radio, owned by the community would not only serve as a voice for unity and development of Padhola, but also act as springboard for other development initiatives under TACI," said Okecho.

He stated that while Padhola faces many social economic challenges, TACI resolved to prioritize radio as a developmental tool, to inform and educate, and promote her own, and government programmes. It will in addition create employment for the youth, women and men both directly and indirectly.

The building that will house the studios in Tororo

The radio fundraising committee in September officially received a house offered by Ambassador Bernadette Olowo- Freers at Tororo central business district. It is being repurposed and wired to host the radio.

This offer will offset a budget of sh6m annually in rent.

Okecho said costs (UCC license) involved to the tune of Sh45 million have been pledged by the area MP, Apollo Yeri. "What is required immediately is money to procure radio equipment  about Sh100m and installation costs of about (sh50 million)."

Kwar Adhola launches fundraiser

Last month, a virtual fundraising drive organised by the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) was launched by Kwar Adhola HRH Moses Stephen Owor at his palace in Tororo.

Several items were auctioned, including Kwar Adhola's portrait and a beautiful Tororo Rock (Tele Tororo ) portrait. Over Sh22 million was raised in pledges and  cash. 

 

 

   

Kwar Adhola Moses Owor challenged the clans to spearhead the drive to mobilise support for the radio (click to view video), which he said will be their main vehicle for communication.

"Our people are praised for being hardworking. Now is the time for the Jopadhola, each of them, to show what they are capable of," Kwar Adhola said.

"This radio will be used to tell our people the truth, spread development plans and cultural news. I urge you all to contribute as everyone is capable of making a contribution to grow Padhola," he said.

The fundraising plan includes raising Sh12 million from each of the 52 Jopadhola clans, and also from Ugandans nationally and abroad,  plus solicit for funds from various institutions and development partners.

"I expect every clan leader to support this effort. How can you be a leader of a clan, and you are not part of this project intended to develop your people. We will start asking, are you part of us, or you are the leader for other reasons....should we consider picking a new clan leader therefore?" Kwar Adhola said.

Banking and mobile money details

The committee has opened collection bank accounts with DFCU Bank Limited, Acacia Branch to ease the fundraising drive.

TACI have also included a GoFundMe initiative (GoFundMe ) online as one of the ways to raise funds. It is organised by Prof Robert Owor at Albany State University.

****

ACCOUNT NO (UGX): 01063658295260
ACCOUNT NAME: TIENG ADHOLA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX

ACCOUNT NO (USD): 02063658329257
ACCOUNT NAME: TIENG ADHOLA DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
BANK: DFCU BANK LIMITED, ACACIA BRANCH
SWIFT CODE: DFCUUGKAXXX

📌 Treasurer, Constant Othieno Mayende Mobile Money (MTN: 0772 590464 or Airtel: 0751 233470)

📌  Website: Jopadhola.com  (CLICK)

📌  GoFundMe (click)

📌  Kwar Adhola strong at 94 years 

 

VIDEO: Ezra Bunyenyezi Memorial Services in Kampala and Nairobi

 

Quarcoo

Patrick Quarcoo has described the late Ezra Bunyenyezi as one of Africa's greatest businessmen and a visionary. He said this at the Nairobi memorial for the fallen Bunyenyezi, who died on December 18. 

"Bunyenyezi was a stylish businessman and great thinker. Without Ezra we could not have started Capital Radio," Quarcoo said December 23 in Nairobi as he narrated his early encounters with Ezra Bunyenyezi in the nineties Uganda. Capital FM went on air in Uganda on December 31, 1993.

Quarcoo added that, "I have to say we have lost one of Africa's most visionary men. He advocated for open borders, for business, he believed in private enterprise at a time when it was not a cool thing."

Bunyenyezi was an international businessman with stakes across the region. He founded the Uganda Travel Bureau in Uganda. 

He was also a keen golfer, and for a period was President of the Uganda Golf Union.

Quarcoo, is a Ghanaian Kenya-based  founder and Chief Executive Officer of Radio Africa Group, which is an umbrella of among Kenya's leading media channels on print, digital, TV and radio. This include KISS 100, Classic 105, X FM, Radio Jambo, East FM, the Star newspaper and KISS TV. Quarcoo and his Radio Africa Group co-founder, William Pike also own two radio stations in Uganda, Capital Radio and Beat FM.

A second memorial was held today December 27, at All Saints in Kampala. ( see videos below)

Prominent City lawyer, business man and former MP Elly Karuhanga gave the main tribute at the memorial in Kampala presided over by the Archbishop of Uganda Dr Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu. 

Karuhanga is Chairman of Uganda Chamber of Mines & Petroleum, and also heads the boards of dfcu Limited, Rwenzori Water, British American Tobacco, Minet Uganda and Private Sector Foundation Uganda.

The memorial in Kampala was attended by the family of President Uhuru Kenyatta, a personal friend of Bunyenyezi.

Bunyeyenzi will be buried in Mityana tomorrow December 28. 

******

YOUTUBE - Tributes at Kampala Memorial

YOUTUBE -  Nairobi Memorial

********

FACEBOOK

CLICK FOR LINK TO FACEBOOK VIDEO KENYA 

✳️ FACEBOOK VIDEO KAMPALA - December 27

📌  RELATED STORIES

✳️ Tribute by Louis Jadwong

  EZRA BUNYENYEZI: A golfer, and a fine gentleman

✳️ Tribute by Andrew Mwenda

 A tribute to a great friend, Ezra Bunyenyezi

✳️ VIDEO NAIROBI - December 23

Padhola mourns sudden death of Kingdom Finance Minister

The Jopadhola in Tororo are mourning the sudden death on Christmas eve of the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) 3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Planning and Development.

Vincent Okoth Ogolla Mboti, an elder brother of Inspector General of Police JM Okoth Ochola, passed away at Iran-Uganda hospital, Naguru on December 24. Details of the cause of his death have not been shared yet, but he had been ill for months before, friends say.

"The leadership of Padhola, and it's subjects led by His Royal Highness Moses Steven Owor have learnt with profound shock and grief of the untimely death of one of it's illustrious son the late Vincent Okoth Ogolla Mboti," said Jago (Prime Minister) Obbo Richard Josel in a special message.

He added that the deceased was a "founder Cabinet member of Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, rising to the rank of 3rd Deputy Prime Minster and Minister of Finance, Planning and Development, where he championed among many other projects of Tieng Adhola the construction of the Palace and the Tororo Broadcasting Network(TBN) which will soon be on air.  We share and stand in deep sorrow with the bereaved family. We shall dearly miss him."

There was a requiem mass Saturday at St. Paul's Church Mukono for Mboti, the former University Secretary of Gulu University and a leading Rotarian.

"Mboti was a big tree in the forest of Padhola and Uganda as a whole that many birds nested in while many other organisms took shelter from and yet many others who couldnt afford their own stems climbed through to reach the much needed sunshine to support themselves in making their livelihoods," Chombo said on facebook

Mboti will be buried on Monday 28/12/2020 at Abel, Mulanda Sub County, Tororo.

Galogitho's Christmas 2020 message to all Ugandans of goodwill

 

BY Stephen Renny Galogitho

*******

Greetings to you all loving Comrades.

May the Christmas season cradled in the birth of our Savior, the Christ, bring along with it Joy, Love and Peace to you and your families. May His presence fill your lives with heavenly tranquil. 

During the course of this year, in the middle of one of the foulest pandemics since Renaissance, you have inspired me with your kindness, love and endurance. You exhumed me from the darkness where I had been buried and brought a bright light into my life that now has illuminated my soul to glow with the twinkle of a thousand stars. 

Leadership without a following is like a man taking a lonely walk into the jungles of uncertainty. Your selfless efforts to restore man’s dignity are a demonstration of the love of God and unfailing hope that humanity can rise for a common good. It is a clear reawakening of the human consciousness towards social justice, an urgent imperative of our time. 

I am grateful for your generosity, humbled by your kindness, energized by your zeal and challenged in equal measure.  Luke 12: 48 captures this mood for me both in depth and relevance. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required and to whom men have committed much, from him they will ask the more”. 

Like I was 25years ago, so I am still today committed to the struggle to work for Social Justice for all mankind.  Whenever I will be up and running, I pledge to seek out for you and we fraternize in this discourse.  

Having weathered the storms of 2020, I pray that the Almighty helps us to navigate through the times ahead. Thank you for being there for me and standing with me. Together we shall make a positive contribution to humanity in our locale and beyond.  

Keep safe; be of good health and Merry Christmas to you all.

I remain yours truly,

Stephen Renny Galogitho

Galogitho rises from the ashes of Makerere's Ivory Tower

Brilliant and with a bright future then, Galogitho speaks in 1996 before
he was expelled into poverty

📌 Makerere University Guild Presidents since Independence

✳️ 1962/63    Matthew Rukikaire 

✳️ 1962/64    

✳️ 1964/65    Shija Kaloba

✳️ 1965/66    Akiiki Mujaju

✳️ 1966/67    Paul Nyambala

✳️ 1967/68    Noa Miguda

✳️ 1968/69    John Butime

✳️ 1969/70    Anyang Nyong'o

✳️ 1970/71    James Ekwaro

✳️ 1971/72    Tumusiime Mutebire

✳️ 1972/73    Olara Otunnu

✳️ 1973-1978     NO ELECTIONS

✳️ 1979   *****     Ndamurani Ateenyi 

✳️ 1980   ****      Whelikhe Watuwa

✳️ 1980/81    Opiyo Oloya

✳️ 1981-83    NO ELECTIONS

✳️ 1983/84    Badru Sebyala

✳️ 1984/85    Otunnu-Ogenga

✳️ 1985/86    George Okurapa

✳️ 1986/87    Mugabe Semayizi

✳️ 1987/88    Julian Njuba

✳️ 1988/89    Andrew Kasura

✳️ 1989/90    Wilbrod H. Owor

✳️ 1990/91    Nobert Mao

✳️ 1991/92     Emma Dombo

✳️ 1992/93    Charles Rwomushana

✳️ 1993/94    David Kazungu

✳️ 1994/95    Issa Taligoola

✳️ 1995/96    James Opoka

✳️ 1996/97    Stephen Galogitho

✳️ 1997/98    Sarah Kagingo

✳️ 1998/99    Peter Ojur

✳️ 1999/20     Ronnie Mukuye

✳️ 2000/01    Asuman Basalirwa

✳️ 2001/02    Mukasa Mbidde

✳️ 2002/03    Dennis Okema

✳️ 2003/04    Yusuf Kiranda

✳️ 2004/05    Ronald Mukasa

✳️ 2005/06    Henry Maurice Kibalya

✳️ 2006/07    Gerald Karuhanga

✳️ 2007/08    Susan Abbo

✳️ 2008/09    Robert Rutaro

✳️ 2009/10    Shaban senkubuge

✳️ 2010/11    Robert Okware

✳️ 2011/12    Denis Onekalit

✳️ 2012/13     Ivan Kata

✳️ 2013/14     Anna Adeke

✳️ 2014/15     Ivan Bwowe 

✳️ 2015/16   David Bala

✳️ 2016/17    Roy Ssemboga

✳️ 2017/18    Paul Kato

✳️ 2018/19      Papa Were Salim  

✳️ 2019/2020    Julius Kateregga

✳️ 2020/2021    

**SOURCE: Student Power in Africa's Higher Education: A Case of Makerere University by Frederick K. Byaruhanga (can be bought on Amazon)

Galogitho is the symbolic “short tower” of Makerere that was burned 25 years ago, but has laid in ruins ever since. He is symbolic of Makerere’s history that went up in flames and urgently needs restoration. 

********

Stephen Renny Galogitho had already defied all the odds by the time he walked into Makerere, where he had been admitted to do Medicine – and he was not yet done.

A fewyears later, the petit but smart talking ex-Seminarian had charmed Makerereans, to become in 1996 only the second student from Padhola (West Budama) in Tororo to become a guild president at Uganda's highest centre of learning.

He joined a similarly short list of stars from the original Tororo to have taken the highly contested Guild presidency.  These included Emmanuel Dombo, now a former MP and the NRM party's communications head, and  the towering Wilbrod Owor (B.COM) also from West Budama, whose oratory skills took him to the top 'job' at Makerere. 

Wilbrod is the son of Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, and is currently the Executive Director of the powerful Uganda Bankers Association.

Galogitho and Wilbrod Owor were both from St Peters College (TC). Those were the years TC used to punch at the same weight as Kampala's giants, sending close to hundreds to the University annually. Those numbers counted when Wilbrod and Galogitho contested.

Others from the greater Tororo area were Taligola, Robert Okware and  Susan Abbo, who like Galogitho and Owor, are from West Budama. She now works in President's office. 

Elsewhere, another son of Tororo Yoga Adhola had earlier made it as Guild President of Nairobi University. Yoga Adhola was later among the founding members of FRONASA and Editor of the People's Newspaper.

Wilbrod H Owor

Susan Abbo

The Makerere University that Galogitho was student leader of was alma mater to many post-independence African leaders , including Ugandan president Milton Obote and Tanzanian presidents Julius Nyerere and Benjamin Mkapa. The former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, and Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki are also Makerere alumni.

By becoming  Guild President,  Galogitho joined a long list of some of the countries best brains, all of them future national leaders when they made their first steps in Makerere. The list includes former Minister Matthew Rukikaire and  Mutebile, current BOU governor, Many who have served as guild presidents have gone on to contest for national positions.

The list has Dr Olara Otunnu who once served as the UN under-secretary General and Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. He served as Uganda Peoples Congress president for five years only to ‘retire from politics’ in 2015.

Then there is Prof Anyang Nyong’o, now governor of Kisumu County, Kenya and Norbert Mao, current President of DP who took over from Wilbrod Owor. Others are politicians Asuman Basalirwa, and Rwomushana who first proposed the Needy Students Work Scheme in place of the scrapped student’s allowances called 'Boom'. It is the same 'needy students' ticket that Galigitho used to ride to victory.

Abu Mayanja, expelled at Makerere,
sent to England

That however marked the start of the end for Galogitho. He soon led a strike in an open fight against government, demanding that all students are supported after they get to 'The Hill'.

At that  time, the government had considered introducing cost-sharing measures and planned to abolish free university education for the best students in the country, a move that Galogitho opposed as a student leader.

The administration reacted worse than the colonialists ever did before them, and expelled Galogitho and several of his colleagues. Most of his colleagues eventually returned to study, but Galogitho had no one to lobby for him. 

It can be recalled that when Abu Mayanja was expelled from Makerere during the 50s after a students strike over food, the colonialists acknowledged his brilliance, and instead gave him a scholarship to study in the UK.

In his the book "Student Power in Africa: A case of Makerere University", Frederick K. Byaruhanga  says that 1950s Vice Chancellor Sir Bernard de Bunsen used his connections within the Governor's office to obtain scholarships for the expelled students to study abroad, because he considered them 'young men of real worth'. Those that had been expeled were Uganda's Abu Mayanja, Josephat Karanja, Isaac Omolo and Said Hamdun from Kenya.

All attempts by Galogitho to continue his studies in other universities were frustrated by the current NRM government.

He was ruined. He returned to the village, until the Makerere Univeristy tower burned down one night in September this year - 25 years later. He posted a comment on facebook about the tragedy, his former colleagues spotted the post. He was fished out, and the rest is history!

Galogitho after he was fished out by his colleagues
who started a funds drive 

********

 THE sad stories of the past 25 years (click to read story)

Galogitho: Makerere buried me alive 

Galo Githo: A student icon, an activist who paid the price fighting social injustice 

Galogitho: Mak’s short tower in need of rebuilding

Galo Githo bounces back from the raging flames of Makerere

VIDEO: The Galogitho story

******

📌 THE SAVE GALIGITHO FUNDS DRIVE and whatsapp group

Purpose of the Group

▶️ Contribute for the uplifting of our  Brother Galogitho.(Code named Rebuilding the Makerere 'short' tower)

✳️ Target outcomes

1.Provide for immediate needs (personal effects etc)

2. Buy land, construct a house (Home/Shelter for him)

3. Provide an IGA income generating activity currently planned to be a grain mill installation. including housing for the mill. This can be changed

4. Support his studying a course of his choice.

▶️ It is believed, when that is in place, Githo will be up and running. The rest of the ideas can then come in.

▶️ A committee was formed with Githos input to coordinate our efforts.

▶️ An account was opened where Githo is co signatory.

▶️ Mobile money is sent to Githos registered number.

✳️ Githo is in this group and reads all out chats. But he is (wisely) advised not to fully participate in day to day conversations. Mobilization is delegated to committee.

 Follow this link to join THE WhatsApp group: 

Galogitho today. He shared this photograph 
and a Christmas message today. CLICK HERE
TO READ

1. Account Name: Stephen Renny Galogitho, Mudali Emmanuel Muduku and Neto Augustine

2. A/C No. 1027201592821 UGX

3. Bank Name: Equity Bank Uganda Limited

4. Bank Code/ Swift Code: EQBLUKA

5. ADDRESS: Equity Bank, Head Office, Church House Building, Plot 34 Kampala Road, P. O. Box 10184 Kampala Uganda!

6. Branch Name: Jinja

7. Branch Code:  1027

8. Mobile Money:  0783010867

9. Airtel Money: 0758074941

 **Registered Names

 Galogitho Stephen Renny

********

CLICK TO share or donate to this GoFundMe

RECONSTRUCTION OF STEPHEN R. GALOGITHO

✳️ ✳️ 

📌 CLICK TO READ GALOGITHO'S 2020 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE TO ALL UGANDANS OF GOODWILL

✳️ ✳️ 

📌 CLICK TO VIEW ARCHIVES OF GALOGITHO AT SANYU FM IN 1995 

  ✳️ ✳️ 

KCCA right to rename stadium after Phillip Omondi, the greatest ever

Uganda population figures Aged 0-14yrs - 46% Aged 10-24yrs - 34.5% Aged 15-64yrs - 52% Aged 65+ - 2% Life expectancy 64yrs

Phillip Omondi was born in 1957 in Tororo, and died 22 years ago while still in his early 40s. Up to 60% of Uganda's population today, were not yet born when he died in 1999.

Omondi is considered the greatest Ugandan player by everyone who was blessed to watch him play  —  a very small minority today  —   which explains why when MTN acquired 10 year naming rights for the KCCA FC stadium and renamed it the MTN Omondi Stadium, there wasn't as much euphoria across the country, as should have been.

The debate on who was the greatest between Omondi, Magid Musisi and others, is similar to the one between World Cup winners Pele, Mardona and others. 

While that debate will never end, Abedi Pele described him as one of the best Africa has produced, when he visited Uganda in 2007.

Lord Mayor Lukwago and MTN officials at the official
renaming ceremony for the Phillip Omondi stadium
at Lugogo, in Kampala

Omondi had many firsts, that makes him revered. First Ugandan top scorer at the Nations Cup finals, one of the first Ugandans to play professional football abroad etc etc....but for us in the Media, one of the first former top footballers to write a column for a newspaper in Uganda.

Omondi was that final piece as we at the New Vision Sports desk assembled a winning team to cover the 1998 World Cup in France. That team was to end up having in it newly recruited writer Kenneth Matovu (RIP), and Omondi (RIP), who had long retired.

We struck a deal, through another colleague, James Bakama, who also grew up in the Naguru estate that produced many spors legends and John 'The Beast' Mugabi, and the Omondis. Baks as we call him, would pick Omondi's hand written notes from Naguru, come type them on the typewriter, and I would edit.

That 1998 coverage must be the greatest ever in New Vision's history.

Not only did we have Phillip Omondi among our columnists, our main reporter Kenneth Matovu, at my prompting, wrote a block-buster of a preview to the World Cup, and we dared to say in our headline on the back page..... "Why France will win the World Cup"

The article run June 9th, a day before kick off and coincided with our weekly editorial committee meetings.  Those meetings had several editors, including David Sseppuuya, former sports editor, and William Pike from the UK,  who were very knowledgeable in matters sport. There were several anxious looks my end, since I was sports editor.

CLICK TO READ

Soon after the kick-off, I flew to Cardiff in the UK for a three month diploma in international journalism course. On July 12, 1998, I watched the final in my room, where a fight nearly ensued between me and my Brazil-supporting room mate from Malawi John Saini.

CLICK TO READ FULL STORY

That same day July 12, a month since Kenneth Matovu wrote his article, France won the World Cup by thrashing everyone's favourite Brazil - as if following his script letter for letter!

Omondi died a year later, and one of his last words to colleague and writer Hassan Badru Zziwa of The Observer, after he had been put on oxygen at Mulago, were “Go help me thank Ugandans for the love they have showed me.”

REST IN PEACE  Omondi. Uganda will never forget you!

*******

Related stories

Why Omondi is the greatest!

EZRA #BUNYENYEZI: A golfer, and a fine gentleman!

.

The 10-year deal gives MTN naming rights to the club’s home grounds at Lugogo

The stadium will now be renamed the MTN Omondi Stadium in honor of Philip Omondi, a legend that gave so much to football in Uganda.

The partnership reinforces MTN Uganda’s role in supporting football and sports in Uganda.

MTN Uganda and KCCA Football Club (KCCA FC) have today inked a ten year partnership that will give MTN naming rights to club’s home ground facility located at Lugogo, in the outskirts of the city centre.

Philip Omondi played for local side Kampala City Council FC from 1973 to 1988, when he moved to the United Arab Emirates to join Sharjah. Omondi played for the Uganda national football team at the 1974, 1976 and 1978 African Cup of Nations, where he was the leading goal-scorer, in the tournament that Uganda finished second. He also helped the team to the 1973 and 1977 CECAFA Cup titles. He later on coached some local football clubs.

: OmondiSeveral great footballers have come and gone. There was Majid Musisi, Paul Hasule and Jimmy Kirunda but John Phillip Omondi towers over them as the greatest. HASSAN BADRU ZZIWA reveals why:

There was hardly any euphoria when The Cranes opened their 1978 Nations Cup Group B match against Congo-Brazzaville.

In the eyes of the capacity crowd at the Kumasi Municipal Stadium, Uganda’s stout-built number15, John Phillip Omondi, was a non entity. After all, he had played in two previous tournaments (1974 & 1976) but had not created a big impact.

It took him just 45 seconds to open Uganda’s onslaught in a 3-1 win and followed up with the consolation goal against Tunisia in a 1-3 loss. [Several references however credit this goal to Sam Musenze]

Omondi became an instant hero in the last Group match against defending champions Morocco. Anything but a win would have eliminated Uganda and Omondi hammered in the final nail in a 3-0 win that sealed Morocco’s fate.

Few would have anticipated Omondi to be the tournament’s most feared striker. And to confirm his newfound status, Omondi single-handedly obliterated Nigeria in the 2-1 semi-final win.

 

“We also became spectators when he dribbled past the entire Nigerian defence and made goalie Emmanuel Okala dive three times before tapping into an empty net,” recalls former team-mate Tom Lwanga, who played in central defence in the tournament.

Uganda eventually finished runners-up behind Ghana but didn’t return empty handed as Omondi finished top-scorer with four goals.

Omondi magic

Omondi had the rare ability of scoring goals, creating them as well as the knack to crack any defence. As such he was dubbed the technician and soccer wizard.

He was so crafty that he could virtually do anything with the ball. At times he would make you think he had the ball tied to his boot laces. And when it came to head and chest control, he was unrivalled and his passes had a pin-point precision.

Former Cranes coach David Otti describes Omondi as a rare package. “Nobody can match his skills; I have never seen a player like him, he could transform a match in a flash,” he recalls.

 

On a visit to Uganda in 2007, Ghanaian football legend Abedi Pele described Omondi as one of his idols and one of the most talented footballers the continent has produced. Pele went as far as describing the admiration he had for Omondi when watching him at the 1978 Nations Cup..

Lwanga adds that Omondi was not a regular scorer. “All his goals were scored from within the penalty area after dribbling past defenders. And when he wasn’t scoring, he was making for others. That’s why most strikers who played alongside him emerged top scorers,” he says.

“You couldn’t know what he was going to do next because he was so unpredictable. He also loved learning new things and used to talk to his seniors like me how things are done,” says Polly Ouma a former Cranes star who played with Omondi in the 70s.

“He wasn’t the strongest of strikers and most times he avoided man markers,” says Ouma.

Who is Omondi

He was born to Kenyan parents in 1957 Tororo and the family moved to Naguru Housing Estates when he was still young. He went to St. Jude Primary School and later Kololo SS.  Omondi’s first passion was boxing until he was frustrated by a judge’s decision during a local tournament. He decided to quit boxing.According to Lwanga, Omondi had been lured to boxing by his housemate and former national boxer Shadrack Odhiambo.

That’s when he decided to take on football. One day in 1969 when he was hanging around the Lugogo hostel, it happened that The Cranes had camped there before the CECAFA Cup preparations.

He awed Cranes coach Burkhard Pape and team Manager Andrew Wassaka Musoke with his ball juggling skills and soon became part of The Cranes during the 1969 Challenge Cup as a ball boy.

He joined Naguru Youth in 1970, then Fiat FC before KCC FC coach ‘Mister’ Bidandi Ssali spotted him in 1973 together with Tom Lwanga.

Buganda rejects Omondi

During the Inter Region competitions in 1973, Buganda’s Kezekia Segwanga Musisi lured the young Omondi to the Buganda team. But after a few training sessions, coach Robert Kiberu dropped him.

On his way home, a dejected Omondi met Northern Region coach David Otti who gave him a lifeline. “I played with him in the midfield during our training and I realised that he had a unique skill,” recalls Otti.

Omondi would later return to haunt Buganda in the final when he scored one of the goals that won Northern the Cup. He was also voted the best player of the tournament.

Omondi escape death

Omondi’s career was not all that smooth.

On April 10, 1976 during a league match, Omondi was severely injured after a collision with a Kilembe goalie Kikomeko. He suffered a ruptured pancreas and underwent three surgical operations; one of them at Mulago Hospital and another one in the England.

In that period, he was pronounced dead on at least two occasions, many experts ruled out his return to football.

But Omondi was not ordinary. He made a dramatic return on June 22, 1977 and featured in the KCC game against NIC and scored one of the three goals.

He also helped KCC win the 1978 East and Central Africa Club Championships in January in Kampala.

Professional

 

In 1979, after a successful Nations Cup, Omondi together with Lwanga and Jimmy Kirunda joined the paid ranks. He joined United Arab Emirates side Sharijah FC with Tom Lwanga joining Rasal Kharima and Jimmy Kirunda opted for Abu Dabi’s Imarati.

Another injury in 1981 cut short his UAE sojourn and in 1983, he quit professional football and returned back home.

Re-joined KCC

He rejoined KCC and helped the club win the 1983 and 1985 league titles plus the Kakungulu Cup in 1984 and 1987.

Unmatched Cranes career

 

It’s extraordinary that Omondi made it to The Cranes squad directly from the second division. That was after his outstanding show in the Inter Region tournament and was part of the team that won the CECAFA Cup in 1973. He also netted a brace on his debut against Somalia.  

Between 1979 and 1982 he was in United Arab Emirates playing professional football. He returned in 1983 and rejoined The Cranes, scoring a hat-trick in 1986 when Uganda beat Kenya 3-1 to lift the Independence Cup.

In 1987, he scored twice in the Nations Cup qualifier against Somalia and also scored in both ties between Uganda and Cameroon in the next round. The Cranes however failed to make it and Omondi quit the national team.

Coaching

In 1987, Omondi was among the ten upcoming coaches who went to Germany for a coaching course. Upon return he played again for KCC and quit the club at the end of the season. He coached Bank of Uganda for a few months and also had a coaching stint with KCC in 1992 before completely retiring from football.

 

His death

It’s no secret that one of Omondi’s best friends was alcohol; he was so addicted that he used to leave bars in the wee hours of the morning. On April 20, 1999, he was admitted at Mulago Hospital where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. “Go help me thank Ugandans for the love they have showed me,” Omondi who was put on oxygen told me in a faint voice. Sadly he passed away the following day at 5:30a.m. and was buried at Maile village, Gayaza in Wakiso District.

That was Omondi, the greatest. But despite all of his achievements, there is virtually nothing apart from records to show that Omondi ever played football.

IN THE SKY: Uganda Airlines Airbus takes off from France to Entebbe

📌Arrives 🇺🇬 Uganda today
#Airbus
#A330neo

💰unbeatable economics
🌍excellent range versatility
💺superior comfort

TUESDAY, 3.00AM -  The new Uganda Airlines plane, an Airbus A330neo, has just taken off on an 11-hour journey from Southern France, heading to Entebbe Airport.

The A330neo is the latest version of the most popular wide-body airliner and will be the first Airbus aircraft delivered to Uganda Airlines, which was re-established in 2019.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to receive the plane ' Mt Elgon' officially when it lands at Entebbe Airport. On board are Ugandan pilots that are flying the US$259 million plane, and a delegation of close to 30 that flew to Toulouse to receive the new Airbus.

In a statement Monday, Airbus said the country’s  flag-carrier had made the perfect choice of aircraft needed to operate in the new normal of post-COVID-19 recovery. The A330neo will enable the newly re-launched airline to launch its long-range operations with non-stop intercontinental flights to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.

"Thanks to its tailored, mid-sized capacity and its excellent range versatility, the A330neo is considered the ideal aircraft to operate as part of the post-COVID-19 recoverym," Airbus said in a statement.

The A330neo is a true new-generation aircraft, building on the features of the popular A330 and using technology developed for the A350.  (Click here to follow LIVE flight path as plane enters Africa's airspace)

The aircraft burns 25% less fuel per seat than previous generation competitors. The A330neo cabin offers a unique passenger experience with more personal space and the latest generation in-flight entertainment system and connectivity.

Featuring Airbus’ Airspace cabin, passengers can enjoy a unique experience which includes 20 full-flat, business-class beds, 28 premium-economy seats and 210 economy-class seats, totalling 258 seats.

"In line with the Company's strategy to keep offering its customers unbeatable economics, increased operational efficiency and superior passenger comfort, the A330-800 is the latest addition to Airbus’ commercial aircraft product line," Airbus said.

Etiang to fly plane to Uganda

An hour before the plane took off from Toulouse, Chief Pilot Capt Michael Etiang told UBC TV that it was an honor to be flying the new bird home. (Etiang is son of former long serving Minister Paul Etyang from Tororo)

"There has been a lot of training we have gone through and a lot of effort by government to acquire a machine like this. It is a good chance for us to make our mark in international aviation, give passengers a more direct experience of travel to wherever they want to go. It will reduce the risk of exposure to COVID by going through many airports."

He added that, "For myself it is a real honor. I have always wanted to be a pilot, and this is a culmination of a long dream."

Etiang hailed government for reviving Uganda Airlines, which he said is an opportunity for the country's flag to fly high around the world.

"I need to thank the Government. The president for his commitment. He made a promise to revive the airline and he has followed through on that, and for that we all owe him a deep debt of gratitude.  I thank parliament for approving the funds, the public for supporting us and all my colleagues at Uganda Airlines for trying to create something new. The Airbus is a fantastic aircraft, very automated and is at par with any other machine. All glory to God," he said.

The brand new Ugandan airbus dubbed Mt Elgon, rolling out of
 the paint-shop in Toulouse last month. PHOTO AIRBUS

In a recent interview, Cornwell Muleya, the company acting CEO said because of the COVID pandemic, they will now start of international flights next year, and not October as earlier planned.

Muleya said “We’re targeting that we receive the aircraft in the last quarter [of the year] at least by December so that early in the New year we can launch our operations.”

He added that “We’re targeting mainly three connections to overseas markets, which is Dubai, London as well as the Chinese market in Guangzhou.”

Uganda currently has four bombardiers – CRJ 900 series, plying up to eight regional routes since August 2019. 

The A330neo

Launched in July 2014, the A330neo Family is the new generation A330, comprising two versions: the A330-800 and A330-900 sharing 99 percent commonality.

The plane, according to Airbus, builds on the proven economics, versatility and reliability of the A330 Family, while reducing fuel consumption by about 25 percent per seat versus previous generation competitors and increasing range by up to 1,500 nm compared to the majority of A330s in operation.

Powered by the latest Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and featuring a new wing with increased span and A350-inspired Sharklets, the A330neo provides an unprecedented level of efficiency.

The cabin provides the comfort of the new Airspace amenities including state-of-the-art passenger inflight entertainment and Wifi connectivity systems, amongst others.

Airbus has only sold 14 of the -800 version of the A330neo compared to 318 of the A330-900, making news of its deliveries a rarity indeed. The shorter version of the A330neo was first delivered to launch customer Kuwait Airways in October.

TODAY: The ‘Great’ Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction, and the story of the three Wise Men from the East

PHOTOGRAPH: Saturn, top, and Jupiter, below. The two planets are drawing closer  to each other in the sky as they head towards a “great conjunction”  tonight, where the two giant planets will appear a tenth   of a degree apart. Credits: NASA/ Bill Ingall

*****

If you are a night sky watcher, you will have noticed two bright objects getting closer with each passing day this December. The two are actually planets Jupiter and Saturn doing what scientists call a planetary dance.  

It all climaxes today December 21, when they get closest in what will result in the 'Great Conjunction',  also known popularly as the “Christmas Star.” To the human eye, it will seem they are aligined, yet in reality, millions of miles separate them.

It will be the closest they have appeared in nearly 400 years, and also nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020. This will allowe nearly everyone around the world, including many parts in Africa with clear skies tonight, to witness this “great conjunction.”

According to the BBC, the timing of this conjunction, as the celestial event is known, has caused some to suggest it may have been the source of a bright light in the sky 2,000 years ago.

That became known as the Star of Bethlehem, that guided the three wise men (the Magi) who were said to be astronomers and astrologists from the East, to the birth of Jesus around this time 2,000 years ago

History of the Conjunction

According to NASA's website, in 1610, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei pointed his telescope to the night sky, discovering the four moons of Jupiter – Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. In that same year, Galileo also discovered a strange oval surrounding Saturn, which later observations determined to be its rings. These discoveries changed how people understood the far reaches of our solar system.

Thirteen years later, in 1623, the solar system’s two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, traveled together across the sky. Jupiter caught up to and passed Saturn, in an astronomical event known as a “Great Conjunction.”  

“You can imagine the solar system to be a racetrack, with each of the planets as a runner in their own lane and the Earth toward the center of the stadium,” said Henry Throop, astronomer in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “From our vantage point, we’ll be able to be to see Jupiter on the inside lane, approaching Saturn all month and finally overtaking it on December 21.”

According to NASA, the planets regularly appear to pass each other in the solar system, with the positions of Jupiter and Saturn being aligned in the sky about once every 20 years. Tonight, the planets will be easy to see with the unaided eye by looking toward the southwest just after sunset.

📌  NASA TIPS- To see this phenomenon, here’s what to do: 

✅ Find a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky, such as a field or park. Jupiter and Saturn are bright, so they can be seen even from most cities.

✅ An hour after sunset, look to the southwestern sky. Jupiter will look like a bright star and be easily visible. Saturn will be slightly fainter and will appear slightly above and to the left of Jupiter until December 21, when Jupiter will overtake it and they will reverse positions in the sky.

✅ The planets can be seen with the unaided eye, but if you have binoculars or a small telescope, you may be able to see Jupiter’s four large moons orbiting the giant planet.

📌 NASA TIPS- How to Photograph the Conjunction

✅ Saturn and Jupiter are easy to see without special equipment, and can be photographed easily on DSLR cameras and many cell phone cameras. Here are a few tips and tricks:

✅ These planets are visible in the early evening, and you’ll have about 1-2 hours from when they are visible, to when they set. A photo from the same location can look completely different just an hour later!

✅ Using a tripod will help you hold your camera steady while taking longer exposures. If you don’t have a tripod, brace your camera against something – a tree, a fence, or a car can all serve as a tripod for a several-second exposure.

✅ The crescent Moon will pass near Jupiter and Saturn a few days before the conjunction. Take advantage of it in your composition!

******

SOURCE: NASA 
CLICK TO READ ORIGINAL STORY 

EZRA BUNYENYEZI: A golfer, and a fine gentleman

 

Bunyenyezi (left) with colleauge
Kiprono Kittony, Chairman Radio Africa Group
 and CEO Capital Realtime Ltd. COURTESY PHOTO

UPDATED (New Video)

EZRA Bunyenyezi passed on Friday, December 18, 2020 at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi aged 76.

If the Uganda Golf Club (UGC) at Kitante was a country, they would have now declared a month of national mourning!

Before we get there, this was supposed to be an obituary, but I felt I had inadequate information for the task, thus the format I will adopt. This is actually a call, for an obituary. 

I tried to look through my twitter feed for details on the death of the icon, got just one or two mentions in Uganda. The rest were from Rwanda and Kenya. Felt Sad!

If journalist-turned-golfer Mark Namanya gets some time, I pray he writes a proper Obituary, and I will re-publish it here.

I first met Bunyenyezi sometime about 1990-1991. I was one of a handful of a new generation of sports writers then, who was able to venture outside football - the staple food then.

I was to have registered for the newly introduced Mass Communication degree at Makerere a year earlier, but somehow did not do so! 

To make up for the mistake, I literally abandoned the English, literature and French that Makerere thought I should study, and went full time into reporting for the national newspaper New Vision whenever I could. I focused on sports, especillay the ones that had little coverage then......golf, cricket, athletics, volleyball, table tennis.

Golf was easy, because my dad was a golfer in the 70s and 80s when his pockets were deeper.  I actually played a round or two with caddies at Tororo golf course in the eighties.

Golfers are generally considered snobbish, especially when talking about their game, but since I knew them, it was easy for me to have the confidence as a 20 year old to walk into the intimidating UGC at Kitante. There, Uganda's 'elite' gathered to hit a white ball around the course, as they discussed business deals.

Bunyenyezi had deep pockets, was a businessman, socialite, entrepreneur, confident, big hearted, positive.... so little wonder he was soon elected head of the Golf Union.  On top of all this, the flamboyant golfer also owned the then very successful and pioneering Uganda Travel Bureau.

Golf has long been known as a gentleman’s sport, and he was the perfect gentleman. He liked the fine things in life. God blessed him with it all, including discipline. 

Former minister Amanya Mushega, a recent convert to golf, recently noted in his controversial NTV interview that " It is important for leaders to do some sport. It teaches you three things; it helps you manage and control body and mind;  you learn the umpire's word is final, and it tells you the passage of time." (click for Mushega interview)

Bunyenyezi (RIP)

When he became Golf Union boss, he did not take journalists for granted. He was one of the first to realize the importance of publicity and the role journalists play in promoting the game. He always made sure we - one or two golf writers - had a field day during, for example, the Uganda Open. 

He would personally check on you to make sure you are comfortable, you have had a meal coupon (meals at the UGC cost an arm an leg), a T-shirt, and a drink, and transport back. He would commandeer any car to get you back to office...... The kind of thing John Waigo continued to do for us at the 19th hole, years later.

Bunyenyezi's ability to connect to the powers in government and private sector, raised the profile of Ugandan golf. 

By then I was covering the great Dedan Kagonyera (RIP), one of my new friends at the club, as he dethroned legend Sadi Onito. 

My excitement sometimes cropped into my writing, and I recall getting a rebuke from my Sports Editor David Sseppuuya for focussing daily only on Dedan, who was anyway set to win eventually. 

Ugandan golf went back to old mode when Bunyenyezi handed over, and eventually left his Ugandan base to spread his wings in Kenya and Rwanda. I continue to get time for golf occasionally, and therefore will miss him very much.

Bunyenyezi is survived with his wife of 40 years Chantal and three children Gad, Keza and Nshuti.

Before he left his main base, I had risen to become sports editor, and I am sure I edited this article (bottom), when the country lost another Uganda Golf Union president. 

It was written by Namanya, a reporter I had signed 'for a big transfer fee' from the Daily Monitor.

I struggled to trace this article and others, and pray in future that New Vision gives unlimited access to their archives for veterans like us who worked 20+years there. It will be good for their product actually, as it will show how rich their archives are.

READ THE ARTICLE BOTTOM

*******

R.I.P Ezra Bunyenyezi. Thank you for showing me that humility and humour always beats wealth despite you having all of them.

— kyaaaman (@elviswanjau) December 19, 2020

Fare thee well uncle Ezra Bunyenyezi .. your grace your humour your strength will remain with us for a long time. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

— Elison Karuhanga (@elisonk) December 18, 2020

A wonderful soul of Ezra Uwihanganye Bunyenyezi has departed to be with the Lord.

His incredible warmth, sense of humour, smile, laughter and story telling made him uniquely Ezra!

Rest in perfect peace my brother. pic.twitter.com/VOXX9rdxBk

— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) December 19, 2020

Sad news today. We shall miss your hearty laughter and encouraging words of wisdom always. Rest with the angels Mr Ezra Bunyenyezi. May God rest your soul in eternal peace and give your fam strength during this difficult time.
Amen 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/ai76NS6G1S

— CallieO (@nyachula) December 19, 2020

The few times I had a chance to spend time with Ezra Bunyenyezi, I left a better entrepreneur. He asked the right questions, made sense of things quickly, and got me to feel energized, motivated, and capable. We will miss a very real serial entrepreneur! Rest in Peace! pic.twitter.com/jDtvjEoAmr

— Clement Uwajeneza (@cuwajeneza) December 19, 2020

I don't think I ever met a person like Uncle Ezra Bunyenyezi. Since I was a child he always lit up the room with his booming voice & great sense of humor.I heard he passed on this morning😥. May God Watch over your family. You will be missed all over the world.#RestInPeace 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Y3KiTugGzr

— Cedric Babu Ndilima (@CedricNdilima) December 18, 2020

An amazing human being. An African giant. A serial entrepreneur in media, insurance, travel, logistics, fintech, and more. A star which has returned to its place in the night sky. Ezra Bunyenyezi, your legacy continues to inspire generations to come. Rest peacefully. pic.twitter.com/BDSXPKFgPi

— Mutoni Karasanyi (@Karasanyi) December 19, 2020

Very sad indeed. Ezra Bunyenyezi was so many good things in one package - humility, knowledge, resourceful, kind, smart and related with young and old alike.

— Jimmy Kiberu (@KiberuJimmy) December 19, 2020

Ezra Bunyenyezi, you were a good man & a good friend and a humble soul ... Though a child of Rwanda & big investor in Dubai, you chose Kenya as your country ... May you rest in the bosom of Abraham. Rest In Peace Ezra. pic.twitter.com/euxO6VQIRd

— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) December 18, 2020

Such pain to learn of your sad demise, my friend. Polished, urbane and civilised to a fault, yet wearing the middle name of humility. Fond memories of dinner at your house where elegance is displayed like crockery. You allowed me to learn that the rich also love and deeply so.

— Enoch Chore. (@6b0e6d055cde482) December 19, 2020

....as a person living with disability, my friend you taught me confidence. Holding my hands in phone as you urged me to drive "on the wrong side of the road" in Kigali by just the words, "Enoch...think!"...... I salute you, Ezra Bunyenyezi.

— Enoch Chore. (@6b0e6d055cde482) December 19, 2020

VIDEO - TRIBUTES TO EZRA AT MEMORIAL IN KAMPALA

 

*******

AUGUST 20, 2002 (NEW VISION, UGANDA)

Uganda: Golf Was Toko's Other Love

By Mark Namanya

BRIG. Gad Wilson Toko was better known to many for his Air Force and political career, but those close to him will also remember him for his love of the game of golf.

Even politicians have a soft side, and to Toko, golf was it. He distinguished himself by being witty and with a high sense of humour - the characteristic that makes one a complete golfer.

He also advocated for the maintenance of high golfing standards - ethical and otherwise. He often teased members at Kitante Golf Club about the high standards the club had when he, together with 'Sir' Richard Kaijuka and Ezra Bunyenyezi were at the helm of the club.

It could be said that it was a mistake to have him elected president of the Uganda Golf Union, because that meant the local game's best MC was lost to management, or worse, he had to take up both roles.

The handicap 16 golfer was, on his return from exile elected golf union's president in 1999 replacing George Egaddu.

Before going to exile in the 80's, Toko had been an active golfer and was handicap 12.

Although never the most successful of golfers, Toko's unique administrative qualities improved the standards of UGU.

"He streamlined development programme to the youths who hold the key to the future; something which was a bright idea," said Bunyenyezi, Toko's close friend.

He died serving the game on Sunday.

Toko's death is the latest in a series of disaster to the golfing fraternity.

This year has claimed former national champion Juma Jaffar, Emmanuel Mwondha, George Semafumu and Juma Omony.

The late Toko was going to play golf at the Jinja Open when he perished in a tragic motor accident.

Toko's political background as a politician and a defacto vice president in the late Gen. Okello Lutwa military junta brought him controversy.

But the times he rose to speak as UGU chief at various events, Toko left audiences cracking in laughter.

📌 See related story ✳️👇👇👇

Kenya mourns Bunyenyezi