As a child, some memories linger longer than others and they are happy memories most times the brain’ way of protecting itself. My earliest memory of Uncle David is his flat cap, first time I ever saw a Ugandan wear Oliver Twist’ hat was on my Uncle David in our Makerere house at one of the parties my parents so often hosted. He was telling stories and LOL-ing,very jolly man. He went on to explain to me the Baheesi family tree and how him and my mother are related and I should call him Uncle David. I was young but I never forgot the hat!! All Bakiga are related, let them not lie to u: garden of Eden was in Kabale and Adam and Eve were Bakiga! Every Bakiga function we attended as a family guess what I saw…. The Oliver Twist hat! He was there making merry and spreading laughter. It became my thing to look for the hat at these parties just to see my Uncle David.
Uncle David Ndyanabo(wearing his flat cap)
When my mum passed away, he wasn’t so well but he pushed himself to go send off his cousin. He was in my brother’s car with some Aunties, as always he was telling stories and making everyone laugh. He was seated in the passenger seat, he asked my brother (the driva), “there’s some Ka medicine I need to get from that Lukaaya place,please don’t forget to stop”(in Rukiga) They get to Lukaaya, car stops he walks out, a few minutes later he comes back in the car; the Aunties of course are wondering what is this guy looking for in Lukaaya? Anyway he gets back into the car as they set off he pulls out a quarter of his ka-haragi😂😂😂😂 my aunties r throwing fits in the back seats, ” David u are sick u shouldn’t be drinking, what kind of medicine is this? What is it curing??” He said, “my broken heart.”
Uncle David and my mum were tight, I didn’t get to hear many stories but I remember my mum telling me that on her wedding day her brother and crazy cousins changed the reception venue from Common Hall Makerere to Sheraton they sent a truck load of alcohol to the reception and guess who was incharge of the store….😂😂😂 She said that their wedding suite was full of alcohol they had proper parte after parte after parte.
Uncle David looked for us,I remember on my kuhingira as I entered the tent for the introduction guess what I see….the hat! I was so excited to see him, he smiled and waved,he motioned for me to go to him I didn’t know what the protocol was, could I move go hug him? 🤷 I did it anyway,he handed something in my palm and closed it, it was a sweet😍As I hugged him, he said “for when you get nervous.” When I lost my Keitangaza he came to visit me at my sister’s place in Namanve, he was having breathing issues,the doctors had given tye balloon remedy to open up his lungs. He had to blow it up every so often. Keilah asked, “mummy, why doesn’t this grandpa share his balloon?”😂😂 Gata love kids. He forced the entire family to come see Kekimuri.🤦
Ndyanabos visit to Namanve.
Uncle David thank you for being more than n Uncle thank you for being MY FRIEND😍 till we meet again.
Daniel Vien
This is a very warm heartfelt story and yes dad was so full of joy and laughter, always willing to diffuse tension with humor.
RIP old man, I will continue with the “kakofiira” tradition
Catherine Arinaitwe
Thank you very much indeed for those beautiful memories of Mr. Ndyanabo. You have captured his essence without a doubt. A jolly vibrant and loving person. We shall miss him terribly and he shall never be forgotten.
May his soul rest in peace.
We love you Shwenkuru
Love Cathy
We.love you Shwenkuru
alubwama
Great man full of life and humour. May he rest in power with the angels.
watmon
Good narrative… I will get medicine for the heart as well
Charlotte Busingye
What a lovely story. Uncle Dave was indeed a jolly soul. I loved the way he translated every detail in rukiga. His trademark kakufiri always made him look young. We will miss you dearly uncle i know you a in a better place.
Anthony Asiimwe
I did Know him but Kekimuli has made me miss him. It’s a very glooing story. How I wished you’d go on and on talking about that wonderful old original mukiga.
RIP dear. Sorry for loss of a friend Kecho.