My most special moment with daddy
Jun 19, 2009
Tomorrow is Father’s Day, which is a time to celebrate fathers and their contribution in our lives. REHEMA AANYU brings you the fondest memories some women have of their fathers
Tomorrow is Father’s Day, which is a time to celebrate fathers and their contribution in our lives. REHEMA AANYU brings you the fondest memories some women have of their fathers
Juliana Kanyomozi, singer
I was daddy’s favourite and we had lots of things in common. I was 15 years at the time and we used to sit together in the living room and listen to music. We would then discuss musicians and talk about their works and this has contributed a lot to who and what I am. We shared favourite musicians like Serena, BoyzIImen and Mariah Carey. We also used to take evening walks together. He would put his hand around my shoulder and I would put mine around his waist which left many wondering whether he was really my father. We were so close that I usually tell mummy that if daddy were alive, we would be hanging out everyday.
Emily Mwebaze, singer and WBS news anchor
I was eight years old when my father died in my arms. This was in 1990. It was around 2:00pm and I was home alone with him. He had been sick for a long time and I used to keep him company. I would sing and dance for him, which made him happy. He used to tell me that I was beautiful and that I would be a great person. On the day he died, he called me to keep him company because no one else was home. I sat by his side and he held my hand and told me he loved me so much. He then gave me a hug and died. I did not know he had died until my step-mother announced it. And though sometimes when the going got tough or when neighbourhood kids abused me, I always remembered my dad’s assuring hug and his last words to me.
Ruth Agondua, secretary
My father was a reverend and he was so strict about time that people nicknamed him ‘British’. He presided over mass every Sunday and made sure we (his family) were the first in church. He taught me to value time. I am always punctual at work and in my personal engagements.
Crystal Newman, radio presenter
My special moment with my dad was when I danced with him on my wedding day four years ago. We danced to a song by Bob Carlisle Butterfly Kisses. It was a very emotional moment for me because here I was all grown up and it was quite way back when as a young girl my dad picked me up and carried me. Remembering all this, brought tears to my eyes. I felt like a little girl once again.
Veronica Namanda, actress in theatre factory
I grew up in Masaka and the shops were far from our home. So one day visitors came home and there was no sugar. My father sent me to the shops to buy sugar and he gave me instructions not to play on the way. However, after buying the sugar, I branched to my friends’ home and we began playing. After waiting for two hours, my dad came looking for me and found me playing dodge ball. On seeing him, I got the sugar and ran. He chased me around the village while caning me. That was a special moment because my dad and I became best friends after that. Now we joke about it as a family but this was the only time my father caned me.
Beatrice Were, founder National Council of Women Living with HIV/AIDS
When I lost my husband in 1991, my father protected me from my in–laws. I was young and I had two children. After the burial, my father told my in–laws that he was not going to let them treat me unfairly. Also, when I got my first job as a social worker at Nsambya Hospital, he baby-sat my youngest daughter who was one year old at the time. I have never seen a man do such a thing and this is why he is so special to me.
Hajati Fatumah Nanfuka, tailor
My dad, the late Sheik Muhammed Nanpagi, influenced the person I am today. He was sincere, determined and people always sought his advice. Because he was blind, I used to guide him whenever he was going out of home. During those times, we used to talk about many things. He emphasised to me that holding grudges was bad. He told me of how I should treat other people. I learnt many good habits from him.
Norah Matovu Winyi,
Chairperson Uganda women lawyers
My father was a practical man, who always helped around the house. He told us girls to consider ourselves equal to the boys and exposed us to the same experiences. After my A’Levels in 1981, he supported me when I chose to become a lawyer, although he wanted me to study commerce because he felt I would prosper more in business. He gave me his contacts and helped me every step of the way. For that, I will always be grateful to him.
Dr. Jolly Kabirizi, Senior Research Officer, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
My dad, who passed away in 2006, was God’s special gift to me. He was a scientist and although he worked opposite the primary school my siblings and I went to, he let us walk three miles to school while he drove in his car. Of course, we hated him for this, but before he died he said he did this because he wanted us to be independent. He never hired a maid, we did all the house work. If he were alive, I would thank him for the life lessons he taught me.
Justine Nassuna, table cloth maker
My dad had only one wife. When I asked him why he did not marry more than one wife, he said, he wanted us (his children) to grow up in a stable home. This conversation drew me closer to him and because of this, I value men who honour their wives.
Juliana Kanyomozi, singer
I was daddy’s favourite and we had lots of things in common. I was 15 years at the time and we used to sit together in the living room and listen to music. We would then discuss musicians and talk about their works and this has contributed a lot to who and what I am. We shared favourite musicians like Serena, BoyzIImen and Mariah Carey. We also used to take evening walks together. He would put his hand around my shoulder and I would put mine around his waist which left many wondering whether he was really my father. We were so close that I usually tell mummy that if daddy were alive, we would be hanging out everyday.
Emily Mwebaze, singer and WBS news anchor
I was eight years old when my father died in my arms. This was in 1990. It was around 2:00pm and I was home alone with him. He had been sick for a long time and I used to keep him company. I would sing and dance for him, which made him happy. He used to tell me that I was beautiful and that I would be a great person. On the day he died, he called me to keep him company because no one else was home. I sat by his side and he held my hand and told me he loved me so much. He then gave me a hug and died. I did not know he had died until my step-mother announced it. And though sometimes when the going got tough or when neighbourhood kids abused me, I always remembered my dad’s assuring hug and his last words to me.
Ruth Agondua, secretary
My father was a reverend and he was so strict about time that people nicknamed him ‘British’. He presided over mass every Sunday and made sure we (his family) were the first in church. He taught me to value time. I am always punctual at work and in my personal engagements.
Crystal Newman, radio presenter
My special moment with my dad was when I danced with him on my wedding day four years ago. We danced to a song by Bob Carlisle Butterfly Kisses. It was a very emotional moment for me because here I was all grown up and it was quite way back when as a young girl my dad picked me up and carried me. Remembering all this, brought tears to my eyes. I felt like a little girl once again.
Veronica Namanda, actress in theatre factory
I grew up in Masaka and the shops were far from our home. So one day visitors came home and there was no sugar. My father sent me to the shops to buy sugar and he gave me instructions not to play on the way. However, after buying the sugar, I branched to my friends’ home and we began playing. After waiting for two hours, my dad came looking for me and found me playing dodge ball. On seeing him, I got the sugar and ran. He chased me around the village while caning me. That was a special moment because my dad and I became best friends after that. Now we joke about it as a family but this was the only time my father caned me.
Beatrice Were, founder National Council of Women Living with HIV/AIDS
When I lost my husband in 1991, my father protected me from my in–laws. I was young and I had two children. After the burial, my father told my in–laws that he was not going to let them treat me unfairly. Also, when I got my first job as a social worker at Nsambya Hospital, he baby-sat my youngest daughter who was one year old at the time. I have never seen a man do such a thing and this is why he is so special to me.
Hajati Fatumah Nanfuka, tailor
My dad, the late Sheik Muhammed Nanpagi, influenced the person I am today. He was sincere, determined and people always sought his advice. Because he was blind, I used to guide him whenever he was going out of home. During those times, we used to talk about many things. He emphasised to me that holding grudges was bad. He told me of how I should treat other people. I learnt many good habits from him.
Norah Matovu Winyi,
Chairperson Uganda women lawyers
My father was a practical man, who always helped around the house. He told us girls to consider ourselves equal to the boys and exposed us to the same experiences. After my A’Levels in 1981, he supported me when I chose to become a lawyer, although he wanted me to study commerce because he felt I would prosper more in business. He gave me his contacts and helped me every step of the way. For that, I will always be grateful to him.
Dr. Jolly Kabirizi, Senior Research Officer, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)
My dad, who passed away in 2006, was God’s special gift to me. He was a scientist and although he worked opposite the primary school my siblings and I went to, he let us walk three miles to school while he drove in his car. Of course, we hated him for this, but before he died he said he did this because he wanted us to be independent. He never hired a maid, we did all the house work. If he were alive, I would thank him for the life lessons he taught me.
Justine Nassuna, table cloth maker
My dad had only one wife. When I asked him why he did not marry more than one wife, he said, he wanted us (his children) to grow up in a stable home. This conversation drew me closer to him and because of this, I value men who honour their wives.