Today morning I was felt like I was hit by a ton of bricks when I learnt of the untimely death of the my partenal uncle Henry Byamugisha. When people die, we are often compelled by our Africanacity to give empty accolades when we have nothing to say, but this can't be the case with uncle Henry. He was a rose in every sense of the word. A man who brightened the day of anyone who knew him. I got my first job because of him. A story is told by my cousin who went to him when he did not have school fees and yet his final exams at University were due. Uncle told him that he had recieved some money for his treatment but he would give it to him to enable him sit for the exams. True to his word, he gave him the money and my cousin sat his exams. Shortly after, he fell very sick and almost died but he survived. He was that kind of person. He was one man you would run into and tell u are broke, get the only 50k note out of his pocket give it to u and walk home. We always made fun of his generosity. He moved high and low to look out for his people no matter the situation. As long as you needed him, it did not matter what he was up to. He would be there. He was our go to guy. No one was to far, or too needy or to gone to deserve his help. He was such a man that all who knew him will agree that he was sent by the angels to be a source of strength for his family and friends. Everyone who knew him has a story to share, that is guaranteed. Four weeks back, I run into him at the home of his brother. As always, we had a good laugh as he made fun of my pregnant belly. We agreed that when this lockdown is down, we would hook up for a cup of tea. It was not meant to be. I have regrets in life but the one I feel today is that I lost touch with him towards the end of his life. What is even sadder is that as a family, we can't congregate to celebrate the life of such an amazing soul. Nothing I say can do justice to his soul. My prayers go out to aunt Helen Byamugisha, his daughter Olga and her family, his siblings esp. aunt Lillian and uncle Shake who are in the diaspora. May God be ur comfort in this trying time. Uncle we celebrate you for the man you were. A man whose legend will never die. We do not know what happens when we are dead, but u prepared our path in life and am sure you will do the same in death. Rest well Uncle. May u be recieved by the angels as one of their own.

Henry and I were undergraduate classmates at the University of Dar-es-Salaam in the 1970s. I not only got to know Henry as a classmate but also developed a close friendship with him. His very charming smile, signature laughter and easygoing manner made him easily likeable. “I will miss you my dear friend. Pumzika kwa Amani.”

I praise God for uncle Henry. The welcomer, the mediator, the supporter, the friend, the guardian, advice giver, the storyteller, the forgiving, the teaser with so much laughter and much much more.

Hi my dear brother 

My heart goes to you on Henry’s passing.

His departure has left a very deep emptiness in our lives but to you in particular.

I know what it meant to you knowing that Henry was there for you because we used to have these conversations.

I personally thank God that God gave time together at my home in Rukungiri,we had lunch together,he had a chat with my mum and then I took fresh coffee and nuts and we spent the evening with Jack Katungwensi little did I know that we were saying our bye byes.

Ruhanga abagumye and the God we serve is the only one that will fill the void that Henry has left…

May God give my dear brother eternal peace

My brother Sheck, mbwenu nyowe tinyine bigambo!!! Mukama yasharaho kutwaara omwanawe haihi nawe because sincerely, Henry  never belonged to this dreadful world!!! Kataahe ahumurire omukifuba kyaishe, where we all long and wish to eventually be!!! May My Most Genuine & Biggest Of All My BROTHERS Rest In The Most ETERNAL PEACE!!! AMEN!!! .

Henry, you fought a good fight, you finished your race. Paddle your canoe into the sunset, my dear brother. As i told you, I just wanted you to know that you were loved by so many. You were an angel among us based on what most of us know and the messages being shared. You just got your wings because you loved selflessly and was generously empathetic to a fault. Your life was not your own but God's and He took you home in his own timing. As mere mortals, we can't fathom this but He knows. May your soul rest in eternal peace, glory and everlasting honor. My heart goes out to your daughter Olga, grandson Hoozi, wife Helen and son-in-love, George and everyone you touched who is as speechless as I am. Till we meet again, dear brother.