RAPHAEL OUMA BWIRE, who died on August 9 aged 75, was one of the most impactful individuals in Ugandan education and sports sector.
Close friends say he succumbed to Esophageal cancer. Bwire’s influence spanned more than four decades, right from when he was a national junior football team player, before retiring as one of the most influential administrators, writes Charles Sebuggwawo.
In my three decades in sports and journalism, there is no person who was an ever-present figure in the education and sports sectors like Bwire. He may have spent a greater part of his career always following in the footsteps of his close friend Hajji Abasi Kaawaase, but what made Bwire stand out is that he was hands-on and always ‘present.’
If it required field duties, Bwire would drive to Arua to watch a Copa Coca Cola schools’ tournament. If it necessitated a stakeholder Education conference in Kisoro, Bwire would be there.
There was even a popular joke that Bwire, ‘there was no excuses because he would be present to ensure everything is well. So, multitasking was Bwire that even in death, it is hard to tell where he had the most impact; education or sports?
And that will be debated for years. Old Kampala SS claims he was their pillar; during the Copa Coca Cola era, he was simply known as chairman. Fufa on the other hand, also treasured Bwire as the reference point.
He was simply everywhere. Amidst all those honours, what stood out about Bwire was his humility while at the same time maintaining high integrity. I worked for decades with Bwire as a mentor in Copa Coca Cola tournament.
Not only was his vast experience crucial in the tournament success, he always avoided taking sole decisions. One time, as we tried to forge ways of curbing violence at the tournament, Bwire went against summoning teams and personally approached the over 50 teams to read the riot act.
It was a gamechanger that made school heads pump sense in their student players. As I reflect on his career, I note there was something special about Bwire. Both education and sports sectors are renowned for scandals, major fallouts and several administration coups.
However, one remarkable attribute about Bwire is that he worked with every ‘regime,’ never sacked or discarded. That is how humility prolonged his career for decades. He will be laid to rest this Saturday in Manjanji, Busia district. Rest in peace, Bwire.
THE SPORTS AND EDUCATION CAREER OF RAPHAEL BWIRE EDUCATION
In 1975, Bwire completed his Bachelor of Education degree at Makerere University. He later returned to the same institution and earned a Master of Education degree in 1993.
In between, he obtained a Diploma in Physical Education and Health Studies from the Western Australian College of Advanced Education in 1985.
WORKING EXPERIENCE
Bwire enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than 36 years in the education sector. From 1975 to 2011, he began as a teacher at Old Kampala Secondary School, eventually rising through the ranks to become deputy headteacher and later headteacher.
In different spells, he also served as headteacher at St Peter’s Secondary School, Nsambya, and Kalinabiri Secondary School, Ntinda. Following his retirement from the public education system, he founded St Mary’s High School in Bunamwaya.
In addition to his school leadership roles, Bwire served as chairman of the Kampala Headteachers of Secondary Schools Association and later as acting chairperson of the Association of Headteachers Association.
He also worked as a Uneb regional supervisor for both O-Level and A-Level examinations. His service extended to various institutional boards and councils. He was a member of the Governing Council and chairman of Finance at YMCA Comprehensive Institute.
He also served as a member of the Board of Governors for several schools, including Kololo Secondary School, Makerere College School, St. Balikuddembe Mitala Maria, City Parents School, St. Augustine College Wakiso, Ndejje Secondary School, and St. Dennis Ssebuggwawo Gaba.
Other board appointments included St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama, vice chairman of the Management Committee at St. Joseph’s Girls Secondary School, Nsambya, and Chairman of Pope Paul Institute of Catering and Commercial Studies, Lubaga.
Another portfolio he held was being a member, Kampala Archdiocese and Head of its Education Institutions Association.
SPORTS CAREER
Bwire’s passion for sports began early in life. He started his football career as a member of the Uganda National Youth Team, commonly known as The Kobs, and participated in the East African Junior Championship, which Uganda won in 1973.
At club level, he played for Nsambya FC from 1971 to 1973 and Lint Marketing Board FC from 1973 to 1974. While at Lint, he also captained the Makerere University football team. Between 1977 and 1979, he played for Maroons FC before retiring from active play.
He also represented the Uganda Cranes from 1975 to 1978. In 1978, Bwire was among the founders of the Uganda Basketball Association, now known as Fuba. He served as chairman of the Copa Coca-Cola schools tournament for 21 years.
Additionally, he served as Secretary of the National Football League from 1995 to 2001 and was a board member of the National Council of Sports from 2002 to 2007.
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