Celebrating Life
Squash fraternity mourns veteran coach Banyu
Banyu died of heart failure on November 6, 2026, after spending some time in the intensive care unit at Nakasero Hospital.
Veteran player and coach Derek Augustine Banyu Musinguzi, who died at the age of 73. (Courtesy)
By: Michael Nsubuga, Journalist @New Vision
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The squash fraternity in Uganda is mourning the death of veteran player and coach Derek Augustine Banyu Musinguzi, who died at the age of 73.
Banyu died of heart failure on November 6, 2026, after spending some time in the intensive care unit at Nakasero Hospital.
A vigil was held in his honour at Omuka Restaurant in Naguru on Sunday, followed by a church service at All Saints Church, Nakasero, on Monday. He was buried at Kabale-Kumbura on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
During the requiem service, fellow veteran squash player Augustine Lusiba described Banyu as a special person.
“He was a man of principle, discipline, integrity, and remarkable dedication. He was quiet and reserved, perhaps a little shy, but never afraid to speak his mind,” Lusiba noted.
“He was a no-nonsense individual who demanded discipline, commitment, and high standards from himself and everyone around him.
“His honesty and integrity, particularly in financial matters, were unquestionable. He was meticulous in financial accountability and would account for every single penny entrusted to him. This was a rare and admirable quality that earned him trust and respect,” Lusiba stated.
“Indeed, many people feared him! He could be strict, sometimes complicated, and difficult to please, but beneath that rather tough exterior was a genuinely kind and caring heart.”
“He was a no-nonsense individual who demanded discipline, commitment, and high standards from himself and everyone around him.
“His honesty and integrity, particularly in financial matters, were unquestionable. He was meticulous in financial accountability and would account for every single penny entrusted to him. This was a rare and admirable quality that earned him trust and respect,” Lusiba stated.
“Indeed, many people feared him! He could be strict, sometimes complicated, and difficult to please, but beneath that rather tough exterior was a genuinely kind and caring heart.”
Lusiba described Banyu as one of Uganda’s greatest ambassadors of squash, not only as a player but also as a passionate lover, promoter, coach, teacher and referee of the game.
He said Banyu constantly studied the sport, read widely, watched international professional matches and attended numerous coaching, playing and refereeing courses in a bid to improve his knowledge and professional standards.
Banyu trained and mentored many players, including prominent personalities such as Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. He also contributed significantly to the construction and maintenance of squash courts and was an exceptional organiser of tournaments and competitions.
“As a referee, his knowledge, fairness, and strict application of the rules earned him great respect. He was, in my view, Uganda’s finest squash referee. His personal life reflected the same discipline.
“He neither smoked nor drank alcohol. He enjoyed his tea, water, and juice and was moderate in his eating and drinking habits. As a professional literature and history teacher, he loved reading, spoke excellent English with remarkable clarity, and remained well informed about history and current affairs,” Lusiba added.
“We have lost a great friend, player, coach, referee, and promoter of squash. But we must not allow his life’s work to die with him. I believe the greatest tribute we can pay Derick is to fulfil his dream: to invest in the training, development, and nurturing of young squash players in Uganda. That was his passion, his wish, and the cause he continued to champion until his final days,” Lusiba stated.
He said Banyu constantly studied the sport, read widely, watched international professional matches and attended numerous coaching, playing and refereeing courses in a bid to improve his knowledge and professional standards.
Banyu trained and mentored many players, including prominent personalities such as Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. He also contributed significantly to the construction and maintenance of squash courts and was an exceptional organiser of tournaments and competitions.
“As a referee, his knowledge, fairness, and strict application of the rules earned him great respect. He was, in my view, Uganda’s finest squash referee. His personal life reflected the same discipline.
“He neither smoked nor drank alcohol. He enjoyed his tea, water, and juice and was moderate in his eating and drinking habits. As a professional literature and history teacher, he loved reading, spoke excellent English with remarkable clarity, and remained well informed about history and current affairs,” Lusiba added.
“We have lost a great friend, player, coach, referee, and promoter of squash. But we must not allow his life’s work to die with him. I believe the greatest tribute we can pay Derick is to fulfil his dream: to invest in the training, development, and nurturing of young squash players in Uganda. That was his passion, his wish, and the cause he continued to champion until his final days,” Lusiba stated.