Entebbe's oldest LC passes on
Jan 07, 2009
AT the late Livingstone Sebuliba’s home in Kitoro, Christmas 2008 was not a merry one as his family and friends rushed to Entebbe Grade A Hospital where he was admitted. A few hours later, according to his young brother Fred Male, Sebuliba was pronounce
By Gladys Kalibbala
AT the late Livingstone Sebuliba’s home in Kitoro, Christmas 2008 was not a merry one as his family and friends rushed to Entebbe Grade A Hospital where he was admitted.
A few hours later, according to his young brother Fred Male, Sebuliba was pronounced dead.
“His death will not only leave a gap in the political arena but in the family as he was the only person who knew how to mediate between family members whenever there was a misunderstanding,†Male said during a funeral service at St Peter’s Church Kiwafu.
Sebuliba, once a staunch UPC supporter, joined the NRM. He served as the LC1 chairman of Kitoro up to his death.
Referred to as the life chairman, Sebuliba was so popular that residents boycotted the LC1 elections in 2000 when he refused to stand, because of his poor sight. “Others had stood against him but we preferred this old man who had good ideas about good governance,†said Ronald Kiyingi, a businessman. Sebuliba later agreed to stand.
“His eye problems and advanced age never affected his administration skills. I always sought his brilliant guidance,†said Betty Nkata, the LC1 vice-chairperson.
Although he could not see, Sebuliba had mastered the geography of his house. He knew all the corners and was only bothered when someone moved an object from its original place.
With his eyes wide open but unable to see, he would move around the house with the help of a stick and sit in the living room up to late in the afternoon when he would take a nap. Sebuliba once narrated how he saw the first plane land on the lake near the Wildlife Education Centre.
At the funeral service, a young man expressed fear that as youth they would probably suffer now that Sebuliba was dead. “Many of these leaders dump us in Police cells whenever we are caught in the wrong but Mzee Sebuliba was different. He always found a solution before throwing us into the cells,†he said.
Sebuliba is credited for founding Kitoro Trading Centre in 1960. He turned the bushy place into a busy trading centre by convincing taxi owners to bring merchandise from Kampala.
Sebuliba had a vision that Kitoro could be transformed since Entebbe had a lot of civil servants. He negotiated with farmers from across the lake to ferry in food. With the many ministries being created in Entebbe, the number of Batooro who sought casual work in the area increased, hence the name Kitoro.
One of Sebuliba’s most important contributions was the development of the Kabubbu Market. He visited a friend in Mpigi and was impressed with the Mivumba (second-hand clothes) he was selling. When he came back to Kitoro, he set up a market, using some of his money.
He said he started the market to contribute to the residents’ wellbeing. When the market gained momentum, he would distribute money to homes every month until Entebbe Municipal Council took it over.
Ssebuliba was buried next to his wife at St. Mark’s Church Namate, Entebbe. The mayor, Stephen Kabuye, hailed him for being foresighted, saying Kabubbu Market had created job opportunities for many people.
Born on September 5 1914 to the late Ernest and Magdalene Sekamate of Kinaku, Singo, Sebuliba went to Chadwick Namate Primary School in 1930. He later trained at the Locomotive Training School in Kenya and operated a cargo train there for some years.
He worked at the Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, between 1942 and 1947 and joined the Government Printers from 1948-1972 when he retired from civil service.
He married Gladys Nalwoga in 1954 and they had nine children.
AT the late Livingstone Sebuliba’s home in Kitoro, Christmas 2008 was not a merry one as his family and friends rushed to Entebbe Grade A Hospital where he was admitted.
A few hours later, according to his young brother Fred Male, Sebuliba was pronounced dead.
“His death will not only leave a gap in the political arena but in the family as he was the only person who knew how to mediate between family members whenever there was a misunderstanding,†Male said during a funeral service at St Peter’s Church Kiwafu.
Sebuliba, once a staunch UPC supporter, joined the NRM. He served as the LC1 chairman of Kitoro up to his death.
Referred to as the life chairman, Sebuliba was so popular that residents boycotted the LC1 elections in 2000 when he refused to stand, because of his poor sight. “Others had stood against him but we preferred this old man who had good ideas about good governance,†said Ronald Kiyingi, a businessman. Sebuliba later agreed to stand.
“His eye problems and advanced age never affected his administration skills. I always sought his brilliant guidance,†said Betty Nkata, the LC1 vice-chairperson.
Although he could not see, Sebuliba had mastered the geography of his house. He knew all the corners and was only bothered when someone moved an object from its original place.
With his eyes wide open but unable to see, he would move around the house with the help of a stick and sit in the living room up to late in the afternoon when he would take a nap. Sebuliba once narrated how he saw the first plane land on the lake near the Wildlife Education Centre.
At the funeral service, a young man expressed fear that as youth they would probably suffer now that Sebuliba was dead. “Many of these leaders dump us in Police cells whenever we are caught in the wrong but Mzee Sebuliba was different. He always found a solution before throwing us into the cells,†he said.
Sebuliba is credited for founding Kitoro Trading Centre in 1960. He turned the bushy place into a busy trading centre by convincing taxi owners to bring merchandise from Kampala.
Sebuliba had a vision that Kitoro could be transformed since Entebbe had a lot of civil servants. He negotiated with farmers from across the lake to ferry in food. With the many ministries being created in Entebbe, the number of Batooro who sought casual work in the area increased, hence the name Kitoro.
One of Sebuliba’s most important contributions was the development of the Kabubbu Market. He visited a friend in Mpigi and was impressed with the Mivumba (second-hand clothes) he was selling. When he came back to Kitoro, he set up a market, using some of his money.
He said he started the market to contribute to the residents’ wellbeing. When the market gained momentum, he would distribute money to homes every month until Entebbe Municipal Council took it over.
Ssebuliba was buried next to his wife at St. Mark’s Church Namate, Entebbe. The mayor, Stephen Kabuye, hailed him for being foresighted, saying Kabubbu Market had created job opportunities for many people.
Born on September 5 1914 to the late Ernest and Magdalene Sekamate of Kinaku, Singo, Sebuliba went to Chadwick Namate Primary School in 1930. He later trained at the Locomotive Training School in Kenya and operated a cargo train there for some years.
He worked at the Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, between 1942 and 1947 and joined the Government Printers from 1948-1972 when he retired from civil service.
He married Gladys Nalwoga in 1954 and they had nine children.