Meet Fathers And Their Daughters
Jun 12, 2003
You have seen your daughter celebrate her academic triumph. You recall the time when she was probably forced to put on a school uniform and let out a hearty laugh. How time flies? <b>Denis Jjuuko</b> spoke to four fathers to commemorate Fathers’ Day, that originally began with an idea by American
Dr. Ignatius James Batwala of Fiona Clinic gave away Suzan Batwala Kavuma of CBS FM.
I had a major operation on the heart in 1996 in South Africa. While there, I kept praying that God keeps me alive at least to see one of my children get married. I had three visions for my children. Educating them, getting jobs and getting married. Susan had already graduated in 1994 from Andrews University, Michigan in USA where she obtained a B. Commerce degree. She already had a good job at CBS FM where she is an accountant, so the next was marriage.
One thing clear, I never forced her to marry. It was her own decision. So in 1998, she got married to Stephen Kavuma. I was extremely happy because I had known Stephen for some time. His father is the Deputy Kattikiro of Buganda and I hold the same office in Busoga Kingdom. And I had known Mr. Kaya Kavuma since our days at Busoga College Mwiri. So I was never worried where my daughter was going. I was just happy that our children had made their own decision.
I am a strong Christian so I knew that this was God’s plan. When Susan and Stephen decided to marry we decided to meet as a family and discuss how to guide them because we are both custodians of traditional values. We knew that they would be independent but the door remained open for them for consultations.
My daughter was going to marry from outside my tribe and as you already know our cultures are almost the same. We feel that we are brothers. And for that matter, my wife is a Muganda so there was no cause for worry. But I prayed while she was away in the USA that she does not get a foreigner. You know people make a lot of friends while at universities. However, I never told her this. She had to make her decision.
When she was done with her vows in Church, I was relieved that I had fulfiled one of my objectives of getting Susan married and married into a good family.
But deep within, I was undergoing a lot. I am so close to her. She is a loving child. I felt that I had lost a friend to somebody else. Susan was my personal accountant. I felt a little saddened that she was leaving my house.
I was not worried whether she would be comfortable because she had already a good job so she would take care of herself and the family. By the way, Susan has a son now, so I am a grandfather. I have also seen my other daughter Atusa Batwala Tuma get married.
Dr. Yonassani Mawerere of Makerere University gave away Brendah Nabiryo of WBS TV
When Brendah told me she was bringing Apollo home for introduction, it was a mixture of feelings. Nostalgia I would say. I remembered those years when Brendah was such a little young girl.
The 1970s were bad days for us. You would never tell whether you would be alive the next day or not. Bringing her up was difficult because of insecurity. Then, I did not think of seeing her marry. This country has gone through a lot. I also recalled her days when she was starting up school in Kenya.
The good thing is I had seen Apollo before and we started liking each other and I knew he would be such a good son. I come from Busoga and I do not think there are so many Basoga who would get worried that their daughters are getting married to a Muganda. And for that matter, my wife is a Muganda. So there was no problem there. Secondly, we have lived here (in Buganda) for so many years.
The introduction ceremony was okay but on the eve of her marriage, it became emotional all over. I recalled Brendah at her time of birth and drew up pictures in my mind. The little girl of the 1970s had finally grown up and starting her own family. It was happiness on that day and I had certain expectations. I mean she was starting up a family and a new home where she would be the wife.
On the D-day, when I presented her to the priest, I felt extremely happy. I saw many people happy, there were so many friends who turned up, all of them congratulating them while the priest gave words of wisdom. On that day, I knew that I had lost some of her aspects to somebody else. But all the same, I was delighted that she was going away.
There are fathers who get worried whether their children would still be provided with everything they need. I am lucky I did not worry.
My only hope now is that they continue living together and I wish them well. Ends
I had a major operation on the heart in 1996 in South Africa. While there, I kept praying that God keeps me alive at least to see one of my children get married. I had three visions for my children. Educating them, getting jobs and getting married. Susan had already graduated in 1994 from Andrews University, Michigan in USA where she obtained a B. Commerce degree. She already had a good job at CBS FM where she is an accountant, so the next was marriage.
One thing clear, I never forced her to marry. It was her own decision. So in 1998, she got married to Stephen Kavuma. I was extremely happy because I had known Stephen for some time. His father is the Deputy Kattikiro of Buganda and I hold the same office in Busoga Kingdom. And I had known Mr. Kaya Kavuma since our days at Busoga College Mwiri. So I was never worried where my daughter was going. I was just happy that our children had made their own decision.
I am a strong Christian so I knew that this was God’s plan. When Susan and Stephen decided to marry we decided to meet as a family and discuss how to guide them because we are both custodians of traditional values. We knew that they would be independent but the door remained open for them for consultations.
My daughter was going to marry from outside my tribe and as you already know our cultures are almost the same. We feel that we are brothers. And for that matter, my wife is a Muganda so there was no cause for worry. But I prayed while she was away in the USA that she does not get a foreigner. You know people make a lot of friends while at universities. However, I never told her this. She had to make her decision.
When she was done with her vows in Church, I was relieved that I had fulfiled one of my objectives of getting Susan married and married into a good family.
But deep within, I was undergoing a lot. I am so close to her. She is a loving child. I felt that I had lost a friend to somebody else. Susan was my personal accountant. I felt a little saddened that she was leaving my house.
I was not worried whether she would be comfortable because she had already a good job so she would take care of herself and the family. By the way, Susan has a son now, so I am a grandfather. I have also seen my other daughter Atusa Batwala Tuma get married.
Dr. Yonassani Mawerere of Makerere University gave away Brendah Nabiryo of WBS TV
When Brendah told me she was bringing Apollo home for introduction, it was a mixture of feelings. Nostalgia I would say. I remembered those years when Brendah was such a little young girl.
The 1970s were bad days for us. You would never tell whether you would be alive the next day or not. Bringing her up was difficult because of insecurity. Then, I did not think of seeing her marry. This country has gone through a lot. I also recalled her days when she was starting up school in Kenya.
The good thing is I had seen Apollo before and we started liking each other and I knew he would be such a good son. I come from Busoga and I do not think there are so many Basoga who would get worried that their daughters are getting married to a Muganda. And for that matter, my wife is a Muganda. So there was no problem there. Secondly, we have lived here (in Buganda) for so many years.
The introduction ceremony was okay but on the eve of her marriage, it became emotional all over. I recalled Brendah at her time of birth and drew up pictures in my mind. The little girl of the 1970s had finally grown up and starting her own family. It was happiness on that day and I had certain expectations. I mean she was starting up a family and a new home where she would be the wife.
On the D-day, when I presented her to the priest, I felt extremely happy. I saw many people happy, there were so many friends who turned up, all of them congratulating them while the priest gave words of wisdom. On that day, I knew that I had lost some of her aspects to somebody else. But all the same, I was delighted that she was going away.
There are fathers who get worried whether their children would still be provided with everything they need. I am lucky I did not worry.
My only hope now is that they continue living together and I wish them well. Ends