🔊 Okumu Omubba was master of Economics

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It is exam time now, so Okumu Omubba would be missing from the social scene in Sonde, and the greater Seeta area in Mukono, where he lived. He would be supervising exams, like he had always done since retirement. 

However, this time, his absence is permanent because he passed away on October 29, last year, just after returning from Kamuli district, where he had supervised the A ‘level exams.

Okumu, the gentle giant of economics, was called OO by many but his family called him O.C. The C was for Clement, although his father fondly called him Chadere.

He was born on March 29, 1954, to Anastacia Macho Namukobe, and Omuhabi Ogallo of Genguluho village in Namayingo district. His father was away at a social gathering at the home of one Chadere in Busia district, when he was born. So, he named the boy Chadere, but the name didn’t make it to the records. Okumu was later baptised Clement.

Every Samia, however, has a family name and Okumu’s was Omubba. That is how most of the world knew him as Okumu Omubba — the simple man who taught economics.

Okumu was fiercely proud of his alma mater, particularly Busoga College Mwiri and Dar es Salaam University. From Dar es Salaam, he was also a proud Swahili speaker. And he insisted on ‘pure’ Tanzanian Swahili, always correcting those who went astray.

Okumu (left) with his son Aaron at an outing during the good times.

After graduation from Dar es Salaam in 1977, he taught at Tororo Girls School and Obote College, Boroboro, where his Tanzanian old students found him as they were part of the liberating forces in 1979.

He later had a long stint at Nabumali High School then Nkoma SS, Mbale High School and also started his own school, Mbale Central Academy (MCA).

His last government posting was as deputy headteacher at Old Kampala SS. He continued to teach in retirement, in schools around Sonde, where he stayed.

Okumu wrote many economics pamphlets and books.

He was a guardian to many of his brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces. He insisted anyone under his care had to score only one grade in Economics – an A. Anything else was a failure.

Always humorous, he said economists should never be mistaken for ‘economisers’ (stingy). True to his word, he was a generous man. At all times, Okumu insisted on picking up the bill even when he went out to have his favourite drink, a beer, with wealthy former students who adored him.

He was a Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) examiner and later supervisor.

Okumu was also witty and naughty. His sister, Ruth Ojambo Ochieng, recalls how in the water-stressed Namayingo district of the 1950s, where they were raised, Okumu made it a point to escort the girls to the well as early as 3:30am, the only time when the queues had diminished.

Despite his small size, short and skinny, he believed he was “the man” to guard his sisters, walking far ahead of them often to turn and tease them about the presence of a night-dancer and then enjoy the scampering. Except on one occasion when the night dancer alarm was real and the water-fetching mission was aborted.

Tributes: 

Sandra Okumu (Wife)

It’s exactly one year ago when you departed and went to be with the Lord. Memories of you are still fresh in our hearts. Your words of wisdom and counsel to us can never be forgotten. 

Your conversations that were always punctuated with jokes still bubble in our hearts. We cherish every moment that we shared with you while you lived. Your simplicity and selflessness always inspired us. 

A genius you were! Dearly missed, but always remembered by sons Timothy, Aaron, Richard and daughter Anne, plus the wife and grandchildren. Rest in glory eternally

Kulindi Aaron (Son)

I am the second born of the late Okumu Omubba. It’s an honour to celebrate my dad, who served this country for more than four decades, a great father and mentor. May his legacy live on.

Anne Nasubo (Daughter)

It’s been a year and the memories are still fresh. I will always miss you, daddy. I will rest in the thought that you are in a better place. We thank God for the time we spent with you, we shall always cherish the moments. Continue to rest in glory.

Ruth Ojambo Ochieng (Sister)

It has been a year since my brother, Clement Okumu Omubba, passed on. To me, it looks like a few months ago. OC, as many called him, was a quiet but intelligent man. A man who mastered his economics at the University of Dar es Salaam and came back to do what teachers are expected to do.

He was not mean with his knowledge; he took all effort and time to make sure that his students understood economics. He was a nationalist, who taught people from East, West, North and Central and certainly a Pan-Africanism. There are many economists in the country who went through OC.

OC, I will never forget you, but I know you’re in the right place. I know when Jesus comes to fetch all of us, we shall meet again. Rest in peace.

Bernard Osenda W’Osenda (Former student and colleague)

Clement Okumu Omubba, an astute teacher, a smart professional and great mentor

His academic prowess, oratory and insight to write and author, teach and coach economics can be equalled to none.

I will remember him for giving me a future, accepting me at a time when I needed him most and sharpening and inspiring me with a passion to attack UNEB.

He was a hardworking, committed and selfless man. He was a chief examiner of economics paper 2 (220/2).

We lost a principled, smart, determined and respectful person, who wished others well even if they had grown beyond him in status.

At my graduation ceremony, I remember Okumu for coiling a statement, Hamala otamala to encourage me to go for further studies.

Okumu was an intelligent, calm man, who also loved sharing his bottled beer.

We join the family, friends, in-laws and the entire teaching fraternity to mourn a man, who is second to none in mentorship and producing results. It was his characteristic to produce As in advanced level economics. He believed in coaching learners to pass economics.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

May God reward you, Okumu, for touching many lives. You were truly an academic hero, who died coming back from a national duty of UNEB. Grant him eternal rest, oh Lord, and let eternal light shine upon him.