That was the case over the weekend at the last funeral rites of the mother of Dr Lawrence Mulindwa in Kamengo, Mpigi district. It was a remembrance for Nakyejwe, who died on August 21, 2024, and is survived by 10 children.
Archbishop Paul Ssemwogerere led the Friday special mass for the late Nakyejwe and on Saturday, another mass was led by Vicar General of Kampala Archdiocese Msgr Charles Kasibante. This grand event attracted several eminent figures, including the Buganda katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Bishop of Namirembe Moses Banja, Mawokota county chief Sarah Nanono, Buganda clan leaders, educationists and sports personalities.
Conspicuously, it goes without saying that most of them adhered to the invitation because of Dr Mulindwa and it was hardly surprising that speaker after speaker seized the occasion to praise Mulindwa’s immense involvement in sports development, his huge contribution towards religious institutions and his unmatched generosity.
For one, Lukwago described Mulindwa as a unique sports personality who is unequalled when it comes to football development in Uganda. Lukwago’s words were backed by the presence of hundreds of sports personalities across the divides.
Mulindwa has touched and inspired hundreds of people in the country. He has shown the public that you can invest in sports and yield huge results. Before 2000, I just happened to stay a short distance from little-known St Noah Girls SS Zzana, where Mulindwa was the head teacher.
In the few times I interacted with him, I couldn’t have foretold Mulindwa’s career path today, especially when he made the brave risk to start St Mary’s SS Kitende. As they say, the rest is history. The school has produced hundreds of national athletes in all disciplines. In football, many have featured in the Uganda Premier League, Big League, Uganda Cranes and Masaza Cup teams.
This can also be said about other disciplines like netball, basketball, athletics, and women’s football. Besides the school, Mulindwa has invested billions of shillings in the construction of sports infrastructure, with St Mary’s stadium Kitende being the flagship.
The stadium, which was officially opened in 2017, has on many occasions been used as an alternative facility for the national team’s international engagements. By the way, few may remember that it is Mulindwa who sanitized Ugandan football when he took the reins in 2005.
At the time, Fufa’s image was dented but in the eight years he was at the helm, he turned the Uganda Cranes into a national brand.
VIPERS EMERGENCE
Mulindwa is famously known for his investment in Vipers Sports Club, which he has almost single-handedly built into the dominant side in the
country. He has signed top coaches, players, backroom staff, and administrators.
This explains the club’s meteoric rise to the top. As we talk today, the Venoms have won six league titles and three Uganda Cups in 14 years.
The club is often criticised for its big turnover of tacticians and players, but Mulindwa’s hands-on approach and hunger for success clearly explains his impatience with mediocrity. I can go on and on about Mulindwa’s influence in Uganda’s sports sector, but this is enough for those who saw the big crowd at his mother’s funeral.
HUMBLED!
On a personal note, I was elated on December 3 when I was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Real Stars Sports Agency during their monthly sports awards for the month of November. One might wonder why this award excited me yet I have received bigger honours before.
It is simply because someone somewhere appreciates what I do. I just hope I motivate many other people who look up to me for inspiration. There are many legendary sports writers who inspired me but never got a chance to be celebrated. So, honouring someone while they are alive is the best way to show them your appreciation.
In fact, I take this opportunity to send my appreciation to veteran sports writers who touched and inspired me during those early days when I was struggling to become a journalist. These include the late Fred Sekabembe, Fred Sekitto Kibirige, John Kevin Ogen Aliro, Hillary Nsambu, Andrew Patrick Luwandagga, Rashid Mudin, Paul Waibale and Jim Mugunga.
Others include Fred Musisi Kiyingi, Douglas Nsubuga, Henry Baguma and my late brother Siraje Zziwa, among others. Then to the young Turks that continue to shape my career. My appreciation to Mark Ssali, David Lumu, John Vianney Nsimbe, Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo, and of course The Observer family. Thank you very much!
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