Death grabs yet another seasoned educationist
LIFE is a journey. Society often overlooks what great people do when still living — only to remember heaping praises at their funerals.
By Arthur Baguma
LIFE is a journey. Society often overlooks what great people do when still living — only to remember heaping praises at their funerals.
His life journey is an amazing story of love, a ray of hope that stretches across races and boundaries of humanity.
His contribution to Uganda’s education is a fairy tale. A celebrated teacher christened ‘the blackboard hero of Uganda’s education’ with over 30 years of service under his belt.
At only 56, he was a reference point in the education world. In every office, on the streets and wherever he travelled, there was someone to remind him of his great
service on earth.
“His life was the fairly writing full of amazing insights,†remarks a colleague at Kyambogo University.
He had lived the most fruitful chapters of his life. He was an accomplished teacher, father and a guardian to many.
Thousands passed through his hands. In over 10 secondary schools and three universities his name is written with an indelible mark as a great teacher.
He loved the black board with a passion. Little wonder he died while on duty. He was determined to reach the pinnacle of the education field. He was on track to complete his PhD in educational administration, planning and management from Makerere University.
Eldad Kateshumbwa, a Kyambogo lecturer, and renowned veteran educationist passed away in a car accident at Ruhumba Trading Centre on Mbarara-Ibanda road on Monday.
But like it is always said, God’s ways are not our ways. “That is what God has decided,†Eunice the widow says holding her cheek.
Deep thoughts race through her mind, remembering the day she last saw him.
“I travelled with him on Friday, January 22, for the burial of his sister-in-law. After the burial I travelled back to Kampala while he stayed behind to do some work,†Eunice reminisces.
Kateshumbwa was scheduled to supervise exams at Ibanda Primary Teachers College. On Sunday 31, he travelled to Kyeizoba Girls SSS to try and secure a place in S.1 for
his niece who completed P.7.
On Monday morning while on his way to Ibanda, the taxi he was travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with an on coming coaster bus. He was rushed to a near by clinic in critical condition.
A good samaritan who picked Kateshumbwa’s phone called a relative who later called the wife.
When Eunice called, she was told Eldad was in a critical condition. Minutes later, another call came through to break the sad news — her husband had passed on.
The news immediately spread to the many schools he taught in. At his home in Kasangati, people from neighbouring villages had started gathering to mourn with the family.
Although Kateshumbwa died in Mbarara, his body was transported to Kampala for funeral services in Kasangati and later burried in Mbarara.
He was a respected, known elder and a member of Church of Uganda, Kasangati.
Kateshumbwa was also chairman board of governors Tender Talent Secondary School, Kasangati. He also served as Chairman School management committee Buyinja Primary School Kasanfati.
After the service at his home, another funeral service was held at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero on Thursday.
He had many friends in learning institutions and people of all ages and walks of life. Kateshumbwa taught at Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo, Institute of Adult and Continuing Education, Makerere. He also taught at Isingiro SS, Mbarara high school and Bweranyangi Girls School.
He had only four children but a guardian to five other children. The youngest has just finished P.7 and at the time he died he was from getting her a school to start S.1
For over 10 years, Kateshumbwa, a god fearing man, was the national co-ordinator, Uganda Christian Teachers Association.
But those close to him say his mature approach to life started at an early age. He tested the wrath of being an orphan at a tender age.
His father passed away when he was in P.7 and his mother had no means to pay his fees. He was then taken on by a teacher but as he grew old, Kateshumbwa started working to supplement his fees.
PROFILE
- Born: August, 1954 in Isingiro District, Mbare sub-county
Education
- 2005-todate: Ph.D, Makerere University, Educational Administration, Planning and Management
- 2008: Certificate in Administration of Higher Education, University of Georgia USA
- 1989-1990: Masters of Education, Victoria University of Manchester
- 1975-1978: Bachelor of Arts, Makerere University/ Diploma in Education
- 1973-1974: A’Level, Ntare School
- 1969-1974: O’Level Kitunga High school (Muntuyera)
- 1968: PLE, Kihanda Primary School.
Career
- 1994-2004: teaching at Makerere University
- 2003-to date: lecturer Kyambogo University
- 1992-2003: lecturer at former ITEK (now Kyambogo University)
- 1984: deputy HM Isingiro SS
- 1978-1983: teacher Mbarara High School.
- 1998-todate: member U.P.E National Task Force
- 2001: delivered a paper at Nairobi International Conference: the Role of the Church in Management of Education in Uganda
LIFE is a journey. Society often overlooks what great people do when still living — only to remember heaping praises at their funerals.
His life journey is an amazing story of love, a ray of hope that stretches across races and boundaries of humanity.
His contribution to Uganda’s education is a fairy tale. A celebrated teacher christened ‘the blackboard hero of Uganda’s education’ with over 30 years of service under his belt.
At only 56, he was a reference point in the education world. In every office, on the streets and wherever he travelled, there was someone to remind him of his great
service on earth.
“His life was the fairly writing full of amazing insights,†remarks a colleague at Kyambogo University.
He had lived the most fruitful chapters of his life. He was an accomplished teacher, father and a guardian to many.
Thousands passed through his hands. In over 10 secondary schools and three universities his name is written with an indelible mark as a great teacher.
He loved the black board with a passion. Little wonder he died while on duty. He was determined to reach the pinnacle of the education field. He was on track to complete his PhD in educational administration, planning and management from Makerere University.
Eldad Kateshumbwa, a Kyambogo lecturer, and renowned veteran educationist passed away in a car accident at Ruhumba Trading Centre on Mbarara-Ibanda road on Monday.
But like it is always said, God’s ways are not our ways. “That is what God has decided,†Eunice the widow says holding her cheek.
Deep thoughts race through her mind, remembering the day she last saw him.
“I travelled with him on Friday, January 22, for the burial of his sister-in-law. After the burial I travelled back to Kampala while he stayed behind to do some work,†Eunice reminisces.
Kateshumbwa was scheduled to supervise exams at Ibanda Primary Teachers College. On Sunday 31, he travelled to Kyeizoba Girls SSS to try and secure a place in S.1 for
his niece who completed P.7.
On Monday morning while on his way to Ibanda, the taxi he was travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with an on coming coaster bus. He was rushed to a near by clinic in critical condition.
A good samaritan who picked Kateshumbwa’s phone called a relative who later called the wife.
When Eunice called, she was told Eldad was in a critical condition. Minutes later, another call came through to break the sad news — her husband had passed on.
The news immediately spread to the many schools he taught in. At his home in Kasangati, people from neighbouring villages had started gathering to mourn with the family.
Although Kateshumbwa died in Mbarara, his body was transported to Kampala for funeral services in Kasangati and later burried in Mbarara.
He was a respected, known elder and a member of Church of Uganda, Kasangati.
Kateshumbwa was also chairman board of governors Tender Talent Secondary School, Kasangati. He also served as Chairman School management committee Buyinja Primary School Kasanfati.
After the service at his home, another funeral service was held at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero on Thursday.
He had many friends in learning institutions and people of all ages and walks of life. Kateshumbwa taught at Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo, Institute of Adult and Continuing Education, Makerere. He also taught at Isingiro SS, Mbarara high school and Bweranyangi Girls School.
He had only four children but a guardian to five other children. The youngest has just finished P.7 and at the time he died he was from getting her a school to start S.1
For over 10 years, Kateshumbwa, a god fearing man, was the national co-ordinator, Uganda Christian Teachers Association.
But those close to him say his mature approach to life started at an early age. He tested the wrath of being an orphan at a tender age.
His father passed away when he was in P.7 and his mother had no means to pay his fees. He was then taken on by a teacher but as he grew old, Kateshumbwa started working to supplement his fees.
PROFILE
- Born: August, 1954 in Isingiro District, Mbare sub-county
Education
- 2005-todate: Ph.D, Makerere University, Educational Administration, Planning and Management
- 2008: Certificate in Administration of Higher Education, University of Georgia USA
- 1989-1990: Masters of Education, Victoria University of Manchester
- 1975-1978: Bachelor of Arts, Makerere University/ Diploma in Education
- 1973-1974: A’Level, Ntare School
- 1969-1974: O’Level Kitunga High school (Muntuyera)
- 1968: PLE, Kihanda Primary School.
Career
- 1994-2004: teaching at Makerere University
- 2003-to date: lecturer Kyambogo University
- 1992-2003: lecturer at former ITEK (now Kyambogo University)
- 1984: deputy HM Isingiro SS
- 1978-1983: teacher Mbarara High School.
- 1998-todate: member U.P.E National Task Force
- 2001: delivered a paper at Nairobi International Conference: the Role of the Church in Management of Education in Uganda