Christopher Kitavujja is a living miracle! The popular Christian philanthropist of Kasawo, in Mukono district, was born with a heart complication and doctors did not expect him to live long. But on October 1, he celebrated his 100th birthday at his ancestral home at Kiwumu-Nakasajja, in Kyampisi sub-county, Mukono District.

“Surely, nobody expected me to live long,” he told guests who joined him in celebrations. “This heart disease instead influenced my thinking, decisions and way of doing things.”

Bishop Jackson Matovu blesses Kitavujja during his centennial thanksgiving function at Kiwumu. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Kitavujja made people laugh when he said he was frustrated when he saw his uncle, who brought him up, spend a lot of money on his medicine. To salvage him from the expenditure burden, he decided to go for the Second World War, so that he can be killed in battle. 

 “The war happened in 1939-45, following the invasion of Poland by Adolf Hitler of Germany. The invasion compelled Britain and France to fight Germany in defense of Poland. I was then in P4 at Kiwumu PS, Mukono district. When county chiefs came to our school asking for recruits, I was one of the four students who raised their hand. I did not fear to become a soldier because I had grown up with a very tough dad, who behaved like a soldier. He would ask me to go to Kampala on a bicycle, twice a day, and carry out family business. If I came back late, he would punish me with a cane,” he narrated. 

It was his headmaster, Efulayimu Katende, who gave him his letter of invitation to the military two months later. His uncle was so surprised and hoped he would not qualify on account of his size and height.

A beautiful portrait of centenarian Kitavujja that was placed at the venue of the function. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“I was thin and short. And when we were taken to the county headquarters at Mukono for screening, we were made to sleep on the ground throughout the night. I disobeyed and instead went to the residence of Rev Misusera Ssebunnya. Interestingly, he thought I had gone to his house as a visitor. When he heard me getting out at dawn, he inquired where I was going. When I told him about the army, he got very furious,” the centenarian narrated.

“We went through the exercise with two instructors, one of whom was a Mzungu. These instructors were tough. They made us remove all our clothes before taking our body measurements. We were then put on a lorry and taken to Mengo Palace, to bid farewell to the Kabaka. We found there the Kabaka’s chief for Kyaddondo, Samson Bazongere and his treasurer, Serwano Kulubya. Soldiers came and gave us two blankets each. They ordered us to remove our clothes and instead wrap our bodies in the blankets. I personally defied that order because I had packed my clothes to wear them! Later I also had a hot argument with the Kaggo (Kyadondo county chief) and the treasurer, who wanted to take us away without seeing the Kabaka yet when we were leaving Mukono, Ssekiboobo Muyinda told us we were going to bid farewell to the Kabaka! Good enough, the Kabaka, who was in a nearby room, heard our argument and came out to see us. We all knelt down at seeing him. He then greeted us, wished us well and encouraged us to be strong, hardworking, focused and God-fearing.

“From Mengo, we were taken to the Railway Station in Kampala. We were then put on a train that took us to Tororo, where we spent 8 months on training. Because of the way I had challenged the Kaggo and the treasurer at Mengo, I was made the leader of my 88-strong group. From then, I was always made leader, everywhere I went.

“During training, we were made to run 20 miles around hills, every day. I took full participation in the military drills so that I could die. You know I had always been told a heart patient could easily die if they worked hard. From Tororo we were taken to the training camp at Girigiri, in Kenya.  While there, all of us got a terrible skin rash locally referred to as Olukusense and we were admitted to hospital. It was there that one European doctor, who was monitoring me, discovered that I had a heart disease and advised the commanders to bring me back to Uganda.

“The commanders and doctors were stunned when I insisted on continuing with the training. But they were very clever guys. Knowing that I was a Christian who went to church every morning, they made a plan with a priest, who called me and made me read scriptures about obedience and respect for leaders. He then told me I had a Christian obligation to accept what the commanders had decided for me. It was then that I accepted to return to Uganda.”

Fr Kiibi praising Kitavujja during his centennial thanksgiving function. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Upon return, Kitavujja stayed at his parents’ home at Kiwumu, from where he travelled on bicycle to Nakanyonyi PS, where he continued with his education up to P6. He had planned to go to Namutamba TTC, to train as a teacher. He nonetheless gave up the plan in protest, after realizing that they were going to pay tuition, contrary to the earlier promise of a full bursary from the Church. He consequently went into the coffee trade business, in 1946. Just after a year, he got his first wife, Namagembe (RIP). He later got another wife, Keviina, after whom he met his latest wife, Susan Nansubuga, whom he wedded in church, in 1985.

Kitavujja had wanted to die on the frontline of the Second World War. But like Jonah, whom a huge fish swallowed and spat out at Nineveh, God saved him through the military medics and commanders who ordered him back to Uganda. Evidently, God had significant tasks that He wanted Kitavujja to accomplish.

Although he has been living with a heart complication, Kitavujja has contributed immensely to community development, education, local trade, the Church and the Kingdom of Buganda.

Prior to his retirement, he was one of the most influential coffee traders in Kyaggwe and Bugerere. Owing to his hard work and social popularity, he was tasked by the kingdom of Buganda to promote hygiene by championing the construction of latrines in Kyaggwe County.   He also promoted the growing and marketing of coffee and cotton, together with his Indian partners.

Hajj Abdu Nadduli delivers his speech

Kitavujja also championed the construction of schools such as Kasawo-Mubanda Primary School, Mubanda Secondary School and Kasawo-Mubanda Church of Uganda Primary School. Together with his late wife, Susan Nansubuga (dd 2011), Kitavujja also built a private school at Kasawo. He also helped to build a Muslim School at Namasumbi and, a Christian school at Kijabijo Church of Uganda.  Kitavujja was also on the committee of Send a Cow, a community development initiative of the Anglican diocese of Mukono, which was introduced by the late Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo. He also started a milk dairy plant at Kasawo, which is still operational. The local leaders in Kasawo named a road after Kitavujja in recognition of his outstanding contribution to community development in the area.

He attributes his long life to the mercy of God, the love and supports of his family especially his children who have looked after him so wonderfully, and his positive attitude to work. He also pays tribute to his friends, and the religious leaders who he says have always given him enormous support. As an expression of divine gratitude, Kitavujja gave his life to Jesus, in 1985.

Kitavujja receiving gifts from his guests during his centennial celebrations

“I too cannot explain how I have lived with the heart disease for 100 years. My life is a real miracle from God. I have been taking medicines all my life. I thank my children who have looked after me very well all the time. I also thank the physicians who have been giving me treatment all along.” 

Kitavujja is currently staying with his daughter Susan Nakimu at Kalungu, in Luweero district, where he was taken for strict care and treatment.  Although he acknowledges being physically weak, his mental faculty is incredibly perfect. He still remembers everything he saw and did during the last 100 years. This is what marvels many of his admirers.

Centenarian Kitavujja’s amazing attributes and examples have been acknowledged in a special way by scribe Geoffrey Kulubya, who wrote a book on him, to immortalize him. The 185-page hand-book, Emyaka 100 Egya Kitavujja, was published in August (2020), a couple of months ahead of Kitavujja’s centenary.

10 lessons from Kitavujja

During his centennial celebrations, Kitavujja gave ten tips, to which he attributed his long life and remarkable achievements. Here they are:

Centenarian Kitavujja (wearing a blue coat) is joined by his siblings, children and grand-children in the cutting of his centennial jubilee cake. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

1-Be committed to the Kabaka and the Kingdom of Buganda in word and deed. Cherish voluntary service for the common good of Buganda and Uganda.

2- Seek first the Kingdom of heaven. Jesus the heavenly King should always be given first priority. Express your Christian faith in actions such as helping the needy children, supporting Church work and Church projects.

3-Pay your taxes; it is the best way to contribute to the country’s development.

4-Have a positive attitude towards work. Be loyal to your employers. Create a niche as you practice your trade.

5- Promote healthy social relations. Avoid conflicting with people. Settle your debts.

6-Have the courage to take a loan if you are in business.

Kitavujja's sisters celebrating his long life during his centennial thanksgiving function at Kiwumu. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

7-Prepare for your retirement by putting in place sustainable income-generating projects. Befriend professionals, such as physicians, who will treat you when you get ill during old age.

8- Give your children good education and solid moral guidance. 

9-Always promote the common good. Money must not be the alpha and omega of your life.

10- Teach your children the value of parental obedience and respect.

What people say about centenarian Kitavujja

Fr Dogratias Kiibi Kateregga (Catholic parish priest of Mpigi)

Mzee Kitavujja is an exemplary community leader and family man, who raised up his children properly. He is committed to God, who by His grace has rewarded him with long life. He is a true patriot.

Centenarian Christopher Kitavujja (holdig a walking stick) with Catholic and Anglican clerics during his centennial thanksgiving function at Kiwumu. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Bishop Jackson Matovu (Anglican Bishop Emeritus of Central Buganda)

We thank God for the long life of our brother, friend and parent, Christopher Kitavujja. His love and commitment to the Church is amazing. His support and good will for the ministers of the Church is also outstanding. All Christians should emulate him.

Sheikh Ediriisa Kijjambu (Imaam of Kiwumu)

Elder Kitavujja is a man of the people. He loves and welcomes all people, without paying attention to their religious, tribal and political affiliation. It would be wonderful if all Ugandans emulated him.

Dr. Godfrey Musanje Kikulwe (Ssabalangira of Buganda)

I am privileged to be the physician of elder Kitavujja. He is a man of positive attitude. He championed so many community development initiatives in Kasawo, which is why we opted to name a road after him.

The choir from Kamuli Church of Uganda entertaining the congregation

Al-Hajj Abdu Nadduli (former minister without portfolio)

Christopher Kitavujja has taught Ugandans true patriotism by word and example. He was one of the pioneer native Ugandan traders. His commercial, educational and religious development initiatives have also benefitted all Ugandans irrespective of their religious, tribal and social inclinations.

Christopher Kitavujja (a son to Kitavujja)

Dad was very strict on discipline. He taught us to work hard. He never entertained any kind of laziness. Dad always demanded high ethical and academic standards from us. We attribute our success to his responsible parenthood.