Luwandagga was looking forward to attending Afcon

KAMPALA. In the month superseding Uganda’s qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 39 years, the late Andrew Patrick Luwandagga - APL- emphasized what the moment meant.
“(The Ugandan) anthem will be played thrice in Gabon next year, like it or not,” the deceased’s son, Julius Kaye, told mourners at a packed Namirembe Cathedral yesterday.
Luwandagga, the eternal Namboole Stadium match day announcer, was there as Cranes beat Comoros 1-0 to qualify for the 2017 edition. It’s a tournament the veteran sports journalist whose career spanned 42 years was “looking forward to attending” as Kaye, also a Fufa referee, said.
High blood pressure was cited for having accounted for his death, dispelling reports that it was a homicide for which his son Andrew William Luwandagga was arrested on Saturday.

Released on Sunday, William wasn’t at the funeral service, a day after Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Emilian Kamya confirmed that APL had “died of natural causes” in a statement.
A sister to widow Sarah Luwandagga, only identified as Ann, speaking on her behalf as “she cannot speak”, called the “rumours headless”.
It was the only time anyone mentioned the events leading to his death during the four hour and 17-minute funeral service conducted by several clergymen led by Rev. George Wilson Kakooza.
This funeral service wasn’t the routine quietly somber funeral as speakers sent the packed cathedral into loud laughter, telling stories of a man whose humility and calm stood out.
State sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi described him as someone “who knew how to manage difficult people and situations” with “good command.”

Fufa president Moses Magogo commended APL, who learnt this trade from pioneer Uganda Sports Press Association (Uspa) boss Fred Ssekito, present at funeral, for “serving sports with passion, professionalism, commitment and integrity.”
Perhaps the loudest cheer was reserved for the eccentric SC Villa president Ben Misagga whom APL advised not to stand the club’s presidency 10 years ago citing that “it wasn’t the right time.”
“His command of English was amazing. There are only three people who knew English that I know; Luwandagga, (legendary news anchor) Bbale Francis and former Zambia president Fredrick Chiluba.

“If I met God, I would ask him why all three die in their 60s,” Misagga said. APL was a life member of Villa, having been part of the 16-time league champions from 1973, the year before he joined Radio Uganda and later UTV which later became today’s UBC. Many noted how depleting APL’s death was to the media and sports with UBC managing director Winston Agaba asking all journalists whom he taught to stand. Almost half the congregation obliged.
Luwandagga was laid to rest at Kawempe (Wamala-Katooke) putting an end to a glittering career which he used to aid the growth of sports journalism. RIP APL