Kamuli’s Baligeya left a legacy of unity
Apr 30, 2004
IT was mid-year 1998 in the RDC’s gardens in Kamuli town. Over 1,200 youth had converged there for elections of their district representatives. As the election fever ran high, the youth by mid-day had grown impatient as the election officials were nowhere to be seen.
By Tom Gwebayanga
in Kamuli
TRIBUTE
IT was mid-year 1998 in the RDC’s gardens in Kamuli town. Over 1,200 youth had converged there for elections of their district representatives. As the election fever ran high, the youth by mid-day had grown impatient as the election officials were nowhere to be seen. At 2.00 pm after the youth who had grown impatient had been convinced to register, they saw a white pick up pull in at the election venue bringing the team of the presiding officer and a number of polling assistants thus the occasion gained momentum.
Before the election started, the presiding officer, hastily briefed and tactfully apologised for the delay to the hungry and angry youth, thus calming them. He then gave the election procedure calmly and managed to conduct the election successfully.
I came to know the man was no other than Baligeya Kaloli Isabirye (now the late) who was deputising the then Chief Administrative Officer of Kamuli, Julius Nkeramihigo. It was my first time to see him and I wouldn’t guess he would be a great man by the year 2004.
The late Baligeya, 41, was the last born of Mzee Isabirye Joseph of Kiwaaba village, Nkondo sub county in Kamuli district. Born in the Basui (Leopard) clan in March 1963, his mother Mukoda hailed from the Balangira clan (royal) thus earning him the name of Ngobi a.k.a “Nkoma,†meaning last born.
He went to school at Nkondo Primary school, Jinja College, Jinja Secondary School, Kyambogo NTC for his diploma in education and Makerere where he attained a degree in public administration.
After graduating, he got a job in Kapchorwa as a district urban officer where he worked for several years and achieved a lot such as opening a school that stands till today.
His good character earned him a Sabiny girl Annet-Viola Chelangat who became his wife until their recent tragic death. In Kamuli district, Annet was a teacher at Kiwoleera P/S in Bugabula county.
After Kapchorwa he returned to Kamuli to deputise the then C.A.O. Later he was the acting C.A.O for Bulamogi then he got a job in Posta Uganda.
Registration exercise was done and with his only rival Kawoya Ahmed Mugaino (Now RDC Mpigi). He was declared unopposed after the former was ejected from the race for just one thing — lack of academic qualifications. Baligeya comfortably succeeded Kaugu.
Baligeya took over office at a colourful occasion in 2002.
That aside, Baligeya has been an executive member in the Basuyi clan and initiated the clan bursary to assist needy clan students. He was the founder of an organisation, “Nkdu†(Nkodo Kidera Development Union) which covers the two subcounties.
Besides that, he has been the chairperson of Busoga peoples forum and was recently elected the chairperson of Lake Kioga Integrated Management Organisaiton (LAKIMO) covering the 10 districts surrounding Lake Kioga. The organisation was to be launched in mid-April at Bukungu landing site in Kamuli.
Baligeya has also been a part of various local organisations.
Kamuli thus loses a v ery intelligent, hard-working and vibrant leader.
His death left the hands of people of Kamuli to hang limp. In council, he had tirelessly done a job of uniting the warring parties by his accommodative spirit and flexibility to critics thus handling the district affairs.
Councillors that were loyal to his predecessor had been discouraged from cliques. He was always quoted saying, “fellow councillors, let’s leave our political differences and spearhead development. Clashing will not help our people.â€
Beside being smart in raiment, Baligeya was a veteran in dancing Kisoga strokes at functions. Local singing groups had already come up with songs in his praises. Transparency was the order of the day as on each Tuesday evening, he had a Radio programme Agafa ewa chairman, in which the late could air all district plans , way forward of projects like LGDP, S.F.G, CHAI, and the way security was progressing. He used to speak like a diplomat thus “A-ah abantu be Kamuli , a-h Nsangaire okubabona, a-h...etc
On the fateful day when death knocked at his door, he was returning from Kampala to pay his last respects to the late Wapakhabulo. At Budhumbula, just 2.5km to his residence, his car was involved in an accident when a cow abruptly run into the road prompting the driver to dodge it and thus knocking a cyclist and a 17-year-old boy who died on spot. Baligeya K Isabirye died 24 hours after his dear wife Annet Viola Baligeya!
Baligeya came to the district seat silently. Nobody dreamt about it and to prove this, he saved people from a rough campaign tide by going unopposed. That’s the man who within two years has had his fame spread like a bushfire. Maybe God taketh away the good to give room to us the bad ones (sinners) to repent. Baligeya is gone but the legacy he left I pray stays in Kamuli, to allow the fights he endured not to be void.
He has done his work and by virtue of his name meaning. “They will back-bite me when am gone†let him rest.
A fund known as Baligeya Kaloli orphans Trust has already been put in place to cater for his orphans. It’s now over sh12m.
He is survived by five children Arnold Baligeya, Franklin Waiswa, Fiona Ndibawaki, Gertrude Mukoda and Suzan the eldest or whom is below 12 years. President Museveni promised to assist them too. Rest in peace Annet Viola.
Rest in eternal peace Baligeya.
in Kamuli
TRIBUTE
IT was mid-year 1998 in the RDC’s gardens in Kamuli town. Over 1,200 youth had converged there for elections of their district representatives. As the election fever ran high, the youth by mid-day had grown impatient as the election officials were nowhere to be seen. At 2.00 pm after the youth who had grown impatient had been convinced to register, they saw a white pick up pull in at the election venue bringing the team of the presiding officer and a number of polling assistants thus the occasion gained momentum.
Before the election started, the presiding officer, hastily briefed and tactfully apologised for the delay to the hungry and angry youth, thus calming them. He then gave the election procedure calmly and managed to conduct the election successfully.
I came to know the man was no other than Baligeya Kaloli Isabirye (now the late) who was deputising the then Chief Administrative Officer of Kamuli, Julius Nkeramihigo. It was my first time to see him and I wouldn’t guess he would be a great man by the year 2004.
The late Baligeya, 41, was the last born of Mzee Isabirye Joseph of Kiwaaba village, Nkondo sub county in Kamuli district. Born in the Basui (Leopard) clan in March 1963, his mother Mukoda hailed from the Balangira clan (royal) thus earning him the name of Ngobi a.k.a “Nkoma,†meaning last born.
He went to school at Nkondo Primary school, Jinja College, Jinja Secondary School, Kyambogo NTC for his diploma in education and Makerere where he attained a degree in public administration.
After graduating, he got a job in Kapchorwa as a district urban officer where he worked for several years and achieved a lot such as opening a school that stands till today.
His good character earned him a Sabiny girl Annet-Viola Chelangat who became his wife until their recent tragic death. In Kamuli district, Annet was a teacher at Kiwoleera P/S in Bugabula county.
After Kapchorwa he returned to Kamuli to deputise the then C.A.O. Later he was the acting C.A.O for Bulamogi then he got a job in Posta Uganda.
Registration exercise was done and with his only rival Kawoya Ahmed Mugaino (Now RDC Mpigi). He was declared unopposed after the former was ejected from the race for just one thing — lack of academic qualifications. Baligeya comfortably succeeded Kaugu.
Baligeya took over office at a colourful occasion in 2002.
That aside, Baligeya has been an executive member in the Basuyi clan and initiated the clan bursary to assist needy clan students. He was the founder of an organisation, “Nkdu†(Nkodo Kidera Development Union) which covers the two subcounties.
Besides that, he has been the chairperson of Busoga peoples forum and was recently elected the chairperson of Lake Kioga Integrated Management Organisaiton (LAKIMO) covering the 10 districts surrounding Lake Kioga. The organisation was to be launched in mid-April at Bukungu landing site in Kamuli.
Baligeya has also been a part of various local organisations.
Kamuli thus loses a v ery intelligent, hard-working and vibrant leader.
His death left the hands of people of Kamuli to hang limp. In council, he had tirelessly done a job of uniting the warring parties by his accommodative spirit and flexibility to critics thus handling the district affairs.
Councillors that were loyal to his predecessor had been discouraged from cliques. He was always quoted saying, “fellow councillors, let’s leave our political differences and spearhead development. Clashing will not help our people.â€
Beside being smart in raiment, Baligeya was a veteran in dancing Kisoga strokes at functions. Local singing groups had already come up with songs in his praises. Transparency was the order of the day as on each Tuesday evening, he had a Radio programme Agafa ewa chairman, in which the late could air all district plans , way forward of projects like LGDP, S.F.G, CHAI, and the way security was progressing. He used to speak like a diplomat thus “A-ah abantu be Kamuli , a-h Nsangaire okubabona, a-h...etc
On the fateful day when death knocked at his door, he was returning from Kampala to pay his last respects to the late Wapakhabulo. At Budhumbula, just 2.5km to his residence, his car was involved in an accident when a cow abruptly run into the road prompting the driver to dodge it and thus knocking a cyclist and a 17-year-old boy who died on spot. Baligeya K Isabirye died 24 hours after his dear wife Annet Viola Baligeya!
Baligeya came to the district seat silently. Nobody dreamt about it and to prove this, he saved people from a rough campaign tide by going unopposed. That’s the man who within two years has had his fame spread like a bushfire. Maybe God taketh away the good to give room to us the bad ones (sinners) to repent. Baligeya is gone but the legacy he left I pray stays in Kamuli, to allow the fights he endured not to be void.
He has done his work and by virtue of his name meaning. “They will back-bite me when am gone†let him rest.
A fund known as Baligeya Kaloli orphans Trust has already been put in place to cater for his orphans. It’s now over sh12m.
He is survived by five children Arnold Baligeya, Franklin Waiswa, Fiona Ndibawaki, Gertrude Mukoda and Suzan the eldest or whom is below 12 years. President Museveni promised to assist them too. Rest in peace Annet Viola.
Rest in eternal peace Baligeya.