The former headteacher of Nabumali High School, Sam Mafabi, has passed away aged 73, and just three days to his son's wedding.

Mafabi, who was also the former headteacher of Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School, died of diabetes on Wednesday at around 12:30 am at Divine Clinic in Budadiri, Sironko district.

His first cousin, John Wetaka, the councillor for the elderly in Sironko district, told New Vision that Mafabi’s death left them at a loss for words.

"We have issues and we don't know how to resolve them. His son's wedding is on Saturday. We don't know whether to postpone his burial or his son's wedding. The elders will have to sit and decide on this," Wetaka said.

He said Mafabi is survived by a wife and nine children, as well as several grandchildren.

Wetaka recalled that after graduating in 1972, Mafabi was posted to Kabalega SS in Masindi and in 1981 to Masaba SS as deputy headmaster till 1983.

From Masaba SS he was posted to Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School in Hoima district before heading to Nabumali High School in 1998 where he served until his retirement.

"He has been the general secretary of the older persons' council at Buhugu sub-county in Sironko and also the head of the laity of Mbale North Diocese and a canon in the same church," Wetaka said.

He also said Mafabi was a model farmer. "He was a dairy farmer and also used to keep poultry and pigs. He also had a coffee and banana plantation as well as a fish farm."

Wetaka said the deceased will be laid to rest in Buwesonga village in Buhungu sub-county in Sironko which is about 200m from Mbale North Diocese.

He said he will be remembered as a teacher who taught so many people in the sitting government.

"When he was at Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School many of his students left to join the bush war that brought this government to power in 1986. When they captured power they held senior government positions," he said without mentioning their names.

Eulogies

Peter Gidongo the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Moroto district who went through Mafabi’s hands paid glowing tribute to his life and work.

"He gave us an opportunity to thrive in life; he gave us a torch that we still use to brighten our future," Gidongo told New Vision.

He said the CAOs Mafabi taught include that of Wakiso Godfrey Kuruhiira, Amudat’s Wasswa Masokoyi, Kibuku’s Joshua Mabiya, Napak’s Jackson Byaruhanga and Lamwo's Alex Mageme.

Gidongo also said the deceased taught the assistant Town Clerk of Kampala Central Godfrey Rwakabale.