Prof Mukiibi: I will only take rest when I die

OPINION

By David Martin Aliker

On June 7, 2017 the New Vision ran a story titled: Mukiibi's Legacy Tarnished - Fr. Lukodo. The State Minister of Ethics and integrity in the office of the President, Fr. Simon Lukodo said,"it is regrettable that a man like Prof. Mukiibi who was regarded with high esteem lost it to the dogs at the last hour".

This thinking has been trending on different social media forums to the amusement of many people who only knew Mukiibi in death and only what the media has offered them to know.

What exactly is a legacy? Webster's Dictionary defines "legacy" as "something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past." So what did Mukiibi transmit in us or what did we receive from him?

In my thinking, therefore, Mukiibi's vices  like any other human, will not tarnish his legacy as his vices that were not even known has not  been transmitted or received by either his students nor his children. Besides, there is no man with a great legacy and yet without vices since to err is human.

Mukiibi's legacy is found in the values and beliefs that he trained his children and students. It is not only his distinguished children and students but also employees who will uphold these values. These are values that live in them today and will forever live in them.

For instance, three of Prof. Lawrence Mukiibi's most memorable quotes that all his students mastered in heart and souls are: "I will only take rest when I die." Secondly, "Simplicity magnifies the magnanimity of the Soul" and thirdly, "the apparel proclaims the man" This quotes defines Prof. Mukiibi's true belief system and values that made him exceptional and he inculcated it in his students and family.

It is this values that speak of hard work, a simple and kind lifestyle and his love for cleanliness and being organised that will mark Prof. Mukiibi's legacy and not his errors. In these quotes Mukiibi speaks to our hearts on how we must be presentable, hardworking and simple in life.

Does it surprise you that its only in Prof. Mukiibi's funeral that mourners were encouraged to dress in white and not the usual black and mourners complied. To celebrate his life than mourn. In death, dressing in white and celebrating his life was defending his legacy. These very children who will of course be successful in his legacy. These orphans of today are the graduates of tomorrow.

To date, any student of Prof. Mukiibi will know what defines us and makes us different; are our clean white handkerchiefs and stockings as a sign of our love for being clean, organised and presentable as a permanent practices in our life styles.

No amount of narrative can ignore the gracious award winning story of a hard working young poor village boy from Masaka who barely had school fees and lived for decades in exile who worked hard and built a magnificent education empire that had nursery, primary, secondary and university institutions in a life time. Will the future really forget this legacy? Not at least in Fr. Lukodo's life time. It is this value of hard work that has remained in us and will forever be in his students.

In all that we do our simplicity will signify how magnanimous our hearts are when we show more compassion, kindness and love to those in our community. It is this fatherly love that made his students call him Papa in a country where not all fathers are responsible enough to be called Papa. So pride and vengeance will not be our way because it was not what Prof. Mukiibi taught us. We will uphold his values of simplicity to care about the poor as he did by offering them education.

While most of Prof. Mukiibi's criticism has been on fathering many children from several women outside wedlock. Some of which has been adult consenting former students and employees; the same Employees of St. Lawrence will testify on Mukiibi's belief and conviction on the institution of marriage. He supported and financed all his staffs and encouraged them to get married.

So whether we judge him or not the fact remains as the Episcopal Vicar for Ecumenism, Msgr. John Wynand Katende mentioned that Mukiibi repented for his sins on his death bed which is one reason that the Catholic Church accepted to lead prayers at his funeral. It is only rational that we pray for his soul than mock and judge him, as judgement is left for the Lord. Judging him is not consoling with the widows and orphans as we seem to imply but dehumanising them. His legacy will remain that Prof. Mukiibi died a repentant sinner who loved his students, children, and Catholic Church in good health and in bad health.

Otherwise, there is nothing Africanly wrong with having many children, especially when you can take care of them. While Mukiibi was Christian, he was first an African and did not hide his African views. In Uganda, having 6-7 children is normal unlike in Europe and America that we love to blindly follow as a result of our colonised minds. And so is having 100 children, if you can care for them.

Therefore, as a proud former student leader (First Prefect in the Principles Office) and boys administrator/Warden of the great St. Lawrence Schools and Colleges; I call upon all current and former students, I call on all parents and employees and the different stakeholders of St. Lawrence to stand up and be counted. This is not about a dead man who cannot defend himself, but an attack on our brand St. Lawrence Schools, Colleges and University.

If we stand united in what Mukiibi taught us and believe in the creed he passed on to us, nothing will stand on our way to excellence and we will make this country proud again. No one except us will hold this legacy that defines us and that has made us what we are but ourselves. Just like a relay, Mukiibi has passed on his button, it is time to pick the button and take the race to another level. We did it as students, we will do it as Alumni.

I will conclude with Prof. Mukiibi's words, your choice to stand up will aggrandise our efforts to up hold the St. Lawrence brand. Our Motto says: We do all this for a bright future of children and those who will believe in our brand.

Remember, it is not what we leave for others that matters; but what we leave in them. It is about leaving behind the essence of your authentic soul. That is what the world needs from you. That is what Mukiibi left with all he met in his life time. So let us go serve others by leaving behind the best and most beautiful parts of you like he did. Let us thank God for the gift of Lawrence Mukiibi.

The writer is a former student leader and school administrator of St. Lawrence Citizens High School, but now based in Gulu.