Celebrating life: He never ate without me

By Rebecca Nalunga 

He wore many hats and wore them well. He was all things to all people: a husband, a father, a friend and a shepherd of God’s flock. As a man of the cloth, Rev. Canon Apuuli Kinobe had a passion for the underprivileged and the youth, and this spilled over into his family life. 

He opened his home to all sorts of needy people, from those who needed a place to stay, to those in need of school fees, transport fare or had pending hospital bills.

Many children and people whose parents could not raise school fess were put through school by the canon.

Born on September 23, 1944, he studied at Duhaga Secondary School, Bukuku Theological College and Bishop Tucker Theological College Mukono. On January 18, 1975, he married Grace Kinobe and together they bore five children: Sam Paul, Simon Peter, Brenda, Barbara and Solomon. Grace recalls that as a husband, Apuuli was always loving, considerate and full of surprises.

“My husband never ate till I came home; he would wait for me. He used to buy me cosmetics, jewellery and beautiful clothes because he always wanted me to look good,” Grace reminisces, a gentle smile curving her face. “I miss his company most of all. I had adjusted my whole life to him; Apuuli was my father, my husband, my counsellor and my friend,” she adds.

Her son, Sam Paul Kinobe, remembers his father as a disciplinarian who did not take education lightly. “School was paramount and he always made sure we had our shoes polished and ready for school,” he says.

As a father, he always took time to do things with his children. Sam remembers the days he hesitated to step on the brakes while learning how to drive. His father, who was seated beside him, suddenly pulled the handbrake and lightly rebuked him.

His children never lacked because he generously provided for all their needs. If he could not meet their needs immediately, he said Yesu afaayo, meaning Jesus cares.

He always advised his children: “Let us do the work of the world as if we will never die and to do the Lord’s work as if we will die tomorrow.”