A befitting memorial for Nsubuga
Friends remembered Edward Nsubuga, who died on July 24, 2009, as a perfectionist. Whether as a trumpet player, a choir leader, a church elder, a businessman and family man, Nsubuga always strived to bring out the best, both in himself and others.
By Peter Mulira
Friends remembered Edward Nsubuga, who died on July 24, 2009, as a perfectionist. Whether as a trumpet player, a choir leader, a church elder, a businessman and family man, Nsubuga always strived to bring out the best, both in himself and others.
This quality endeared him to many, as was testified by the multitude which attended his funeral service at Namirembe Cathedral, and the befitting memorial held at his home in Kiteezi on July 25.
Although an Anglican by faith, Nsubuga was appointed by the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga as chairman of the Catholic church’s development committee, a job he did with dedication for many years.
Nsubuga’s character revolved around the influences of the two schools he attended as a young boy, namely Mengo Junior School and King’s College Budo. At Mengo, he acquired the art of making friends; while at Budo, Nsubuga’s unique leadership qualities flourished.
Three characteristics made Nsubuga stand out from others up to the end of his life. These were the ease with which he held himself in any company, the ability to lead others in any situation and paradoxically, a disdain for authority.
At Budo, Nsubuga was the cheeky boy who made life difficult for prefects. This distinguished him from his contemporaries like Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, the Prime Minister.
His Music talent
Also at Budo, his talent in music blossomed. He was a member of the famous Nightingale choir, the school band where he played the trumpet and by regularly attending classical music appreciation classes at one of the teacher’s houses, Allan Walker.
Music made Nsubuga’s adult life a happy one as it allowed him to relax. He often bemoaned the present education system which has allowed music to disappear from the school curriculum. The band at Budo used to perform at girls’ schools like Nabbingo and Gayaza where Nsubuga built a big battalion of female fans for his rendering of Louis Armstong’s songs, which were very popular at the time.
Music also brought Nsubuga into a lifetime friendship with Dr. James Makumbi, the director of medical services in the army. Makumbi was a saxophonist at school.
His career in accountancy
While in his final year at Budo, Nsubuga was discovered by Ken Cooper, the then head of Cooper & Lybrand, the international firm of chartered accountants, who saw him as a suitable person to train as a chartered accountant.
Since Nsubuga was adept at figures, he took up the offer and skipped going to Makerere where he would most likely have pursued a business course.
After years or training, Nsubuga joined Coffee Marketing Board and Lint Marketing Board as their internal auditor before he joined Larco Concrete Products, where he partnered with the Italian Benito Larco, to build one of the best-run companies in the country for a long time.
Nsubuga married Mary Kulabigwo in 1965 and they were blessed with six children. Bringing up children in Uganda in the 1970s was not easy since everything, including schools broke down. As a sign of their love for the children, the Nsubugas sent them to boarding schools in the UK.
When Nsubuga realised that Mary was lost without her children, he encouraged her to enrol at a university in London and that is how Mary graduated on the same day at the same university as one of her sons, Jonathan. Many mistook him for her brother.
The children repaid their parents sacrifice well by earning good qualifications. One of them, Anna, is now first secretary at the British embassy in Paris.
While at Larco, Nsubuga’s business interests fanned out into the hotel industry, entertainment and aviation. Larco itself gained fame here and in Kenya where it was involved in the construction of Kenyatta International Airport.
In the Seychelles, the company was in charge of constructing the country’s state house. Nsubuga was also involved in church affairs having been head of laity of St. Paul Cathedral, Namirembe for 22 years.
In later years, he was known as a confidante of President Museveni and the Kabaka of Buganda. At the time of his death, Nsubuga had retired to Kiteezi, a village named after his famous maternal grandfather Muteezi. Here, together with Mary, he ran Edma Country Club.
Nsubuga’s life was full of good examples which should be emulated by the young generation.
Adieu Nsubuga.
Friends remembered Edward Nsubuga, who died on July 24, 2009, as a perfectionist. Whether as a trumpet player, a choir leader, a church elder, a businessman and family man, Nsubuga always strived to bring out the best, both in himself and others.
This quality endeared him to many, as was testified by the multitude which attended his funeral service at Namirembe Cathedral, and the befitting memorial held at his home in Kiteezi on July 25.
Although an Anglican by faith, Nsubuga was appointed by the late Cardinal Emmanuel Nsubuga as chairman of the Catholic church’s development committee, a job he did with dedication for many years.
Nsubuga’s character revolved around the influences of the two schools he attended as a young boy, namely Mengo Junior School and King’s College Budo. At Mengo, he acquired the art of making friends; while at Budo, Nsubuga’s unique leadership qualities flourished.
Three characteristics made Nsubuga stand out from others up to the end of his life. These were the ease with which he held himself in any company, the ability to lead others in any situation and paradoxically, a disdain for authority.
At Budo, Nsubuga was the cheeky boy who made life difficult for prefects. This distinguished him from his contemporaries like Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, the Prime Minister.
His Music talent
Also at Budo, his talent in music blossomed. He was a member of the famous Nightingale choir, the school band where he played the trumpet and by regularly attending classical music appreciation classes at one of the teacher’s houses, Allan Walker.
Music made Nsubuga’s adult life a happy one as it allowed him to relax. He often bemoaned the present education system which has allowed music to disappear from the school curriculum. The band at Budo used to perform at girls’ schools like Nabbingo and Gayaza where Nsubuga built a big battalion of female fans for his rendering of Louis Armstong’s songs, which were very popular at the time.
Music also brought Nsubuga into a lifetime friendship with Dr. James Makumbi, the director of medical services in the army. Makumbi was a saxophonist at school.
His career in accountancy
While in his final year at Budo, Nsubuga was discovered by Ken Cooper, the then head of Cooper & Lybrand, the international firm of chartered accountants, who saw him as a suitable person to train as a chartered accountant.
Since Nsubuga was adept at figures, he took up the offer and skipped going to Makerere where he would most likely have pursued a business course.
After years or training, Nsubuga joined Coffee Marketing Board and Lint Marketing Board as their internal auditor before he joined Larco Concrete Products, where he partnered with the Italian Benito Larco, to build one of the best-run companies in the country for a long time.
Nsubuga married Mary Kulabigwo in 1965 and they were blessed with six children. Bringing up children in Uganda in the 1970s was not easy since everything, including schools broke down. As a sign of their love for the children, the Nsubugas sent them to boarding schools in the UK.
When Nsubuga realised that Mary was lost without her children, he encouraged her to enrol at a university in London and that is how Mary graduated on the same day at the same university as one of her sons, Jonathan. Many mistook him for her brother.
The children repaid their parents sacrifice well by earning good qualifications. One of them, Anna, is now first secretary at the British embassy in Paris.
While at Larco, Nsubuga’s business interests fanned out into the hotel industry, entertainment and aviation. Larco itself gained fame here and in Kenya where it was involved in the construction of Kenyatta International Airport.
In the Seychelles, the company was in charge of constructing the country’s state house. Nsubuga was also involved in church affairs having been head of laity of St. Paul Cathedral, Namirembe for 22 years.
In later years, he was known as a confidante of President Museveni and the Kabaka of Buganda. At the time of his death, Nsubuga had retired to Kiteezi, a village named after his famous maternal grandfather Muteezi. Here, together with Mary, he ran Edma Country Club.
Nsubuga’s life was full of good examples which should be emulated by the young generation.
Adieu Nsubuga.