Anthem composer Kakoma alive, amid death rumours

By Chris Kiwawulo

A sigh of relief for Ugandans as the national anthem composer, Prof. George W. Kakoma is confirmed still alive amid claims that he had died.

News relayed on a number of FM stations Tuesday morning indicated that the iconic Kakoma had succumbed to death after a spell of illness. However, it was not the case, as the 89-year old was still breathing at his daughter’s Kololo residence under the watchful eye of his ageing wife, Maria Tereza and a nurse.

Kakoma, famed for writing what has for close to 50 years today been the song of the nation—Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty—has been taken off life support machines.

“His condition has improved compared to what it was two months ago. He is now off the oxygen concentrator. He can now hear and respond to messages,” Kakoma's wife Tereza said on Tuesday.

Kakoma suffered a stroke in August 2010 and has been bedridden for over a year now. He was first admitted to Nsambya Hospital on February 23, 2011 before he was transferred to Nakasero hospital in April. He was later discharged and he is currently receiving treatment from her daughter's home in Kololo.

“We have received news that George Wilberforce Kakoma is dead. We cannot confirm his death yet but it is saddening that the country is losing several artistes in a very short time. Condolences to the family of the late, and to Uganda,” a presenter of a city FM station announced during a morning show on Tuesday.

Shock, panic and grief

The news shocked his wife.

76-year old Tereza said media reports that her husband had died disturbed her together with other family members, some of whom came prepared for a vigil, only to be informed that he was still alive.

“Since the news went on air that professor had died, many friends and relatives have come here and others have been calling. I was shocked myself because I sleep upstairs and he sleeps downstairs with the nurse. So, I rushed to see but I found him a live,” she explained.

At the time New Vision paid him a visit in Kololo on the day of his rumoured death, several guests were found at the home although no one was allowed to access him. Tereza's cell phone was jammed with calls as more people wanted to confirm whether it was true that Kakoma had died.

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni footed Kakoma’s medical bill at Nakesero hospital.

Tereza revealed that on top of clearing the bill, Museveni bought a suction machine to clear Kakoma's lungs and an oxygen cylinder, and also sent emissaries to visit him last October.

“We are grateful to President Museveni, but we need more help. We spend not less than sh1m a week on refilling the oxygen cylinder and water in the suction machine. This is besides the monthly sh540,000 we pay the private nurse who takes care of him,” she elaborated.

Kakoma was last seen in public on October 9, 2010 when he attended the Independence Day celebrations at Kololo Airstrip in Kampala.

Winner

In 1962, shortly before the British government relinquished power to Ugandans, advertisements were published in the Uganda Argus, a defunct government-owned newspaper, for interested people to compose the national anthem.

Kakoma beat five other composers in the competition. His winning composition, Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty would then become the song of the nation, sung at any part of the globe where Uganda would be represented.

He wrote both words and the music of the anthem, one of the shortest national anthem’s in the world.