Humour at fallen writer Kalimugogo's funeral

By Carol Kasujja & Agatha Mutebi

KAMPALA - Most people would say that it takes a dark, twisted heart to laugh at someone's funeral.

But laughter is what filled the air as close relatives and friends celebrated the life of fallen renowned author and former career diplomat Godfrey Kalimugogo at a funeral service at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero on Thursday.

He died aged 72 last Sunday night at Mengo Hospital in Kampala.

Tributes flowed endlessly during the funeral service attended by friends, family, well-wishers and government officials.

‘Honest’, ‘friendly’, ‘loyal’ and ‘a pillar’, were some of the descriptions of a man who authored several books.

Other speakers described Kalimugogo as “the glue that held the family together”; another remembered him as a humorous man “who made everyone smile from ear to ear”.

A restless football fan
 

Bank of Uganda Governor Tumusiime Mutebile (right) attended the funeral. (Photo credit: Abou Kisige)

During the service, family members lifted the spirits of mourners by sharing his humorous stories and comical lifestyle. It was so funny that even the priest appreciated that part of the eulogy.

In his delivery, Alex Kalimuggoo described his father as a funny man who had a good command of the English language.

“My father used to support Liverpool, but because of its poor performance, he changed to Arsenal. And when Arsenal started performing poorly, he wrote me a letter when I was in Australia expressing his frustrations with Arsenal.

“He wrote that when I am done with reading [the mail], I should deliver the letter to Arsenal Wenger [Arsenal FC manager],” he said, drawing laughter from the congregation.

Alex also recalled that when his younger brother Victor was dating a girl from Sri Lanka, his father who at the time was pushing all of them to get married, called him and asked him jokingly whether they will afford the bride price from Sri Lanka so that his brother gets himself a wife.

‘Funny, punctual man’
 

The children of the fallen Ugandan author delivering their euologies. (Photo credit: Abou Kisige)

On his part, Victor recalled a time when he participated in athletics at school but finished in second place. As a child at the time, he felt he had done a great job.

On their way back home that day, his father told him that the next time a competitor is in front of him, he should make sure to take the lead.

The late author’s wife recapped the life they shared together for 42 years.

“We had our ups and down – which are a part of life – but Godfrey was funny and a punctual man,” Dr. Grace Kalimugogo told mourners.

“I remember a time when we were living Ethiopia. Once, we delayed him and he left us, saying that for him he was good at keeping time. He left us and waited us at the airport.

“He hated the way people speak English these days. Even my Rukiga accent would annoy him. He always wanted me to have a British accent.”

Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda was among the scores of mourners at the requiem mass.

In his message, he said death had “robbed the country of a literature giant”.

Other key figures also in attendance were the minister of gender and social issues Mary Karooro Okurut, Bank of Uganda governor Emmanuel Tumusiime-Mutebile and Makerere University Chancellor Prof. Mondo Kagonyera.

The foreign affairs permanent secretary Ambassador James Mugume and former PM Amama Mbabazi sent their apologies and condolences.

Kalimugogo was laid to rest on Friday at the family home in Kabale district.
 

Staff of A-Plus Funeral Services lead the casket out of the church after the funeral. (Photo credit: Abou Kisige)

 
Godfrey Kalimugogo's main works

• Dare to Die. East African Literature Bureau, 1972

• The Pulse of the Woods. East African Literature Bureau, 1974

• The Department. East African Literature Bureau, 1976

• Trials and Tribulations in Sandu’s Home. East African Literature Bureau, 1976

• The Prodigal Chairman. Uzima Press, 1979

• Pilgrimage to Nowhere. 1981

• Sandu, the Prince. Kenya Literature Bureau, 1982

• A Visitor Without a Mission. Victor B. Services, 2003

• Bury Me in a Simple Grave. Baroque Publishers, October 2009

• A Murky River. Baroque Publishers, November 2009