Retirement was easy for Muhima

The lawns by the grey-coloured French-inspired bungalow-roof home are immaculate, green and splendid.
While the green lash compound that rings the homestead — located in Kireka outskirts — is perhaps one of the best retirement homes in the locality. Ever since the former bishop of North Kigezi, Edward Muhima 73, retreated here eight years ago, the sheep he used to tend seems to have forgotten a man touted as the loved bishop. When I recently traced him to his home, Bishop Muhima was welcoming. “This is where I decided to stay,” Bishop Muhima says. His voice is a bit hoarse and I edge closer to him.

Background
To the 73-year-old retirement is something he knew would come at one time in his life.
He endeavoured to plan for the years when he was no longer able to work. Today he does not regret serving God and this has helped him to live a comforting life ever since he retired in 2011.
His thesis was on “The fellowship of suffering, the theological interpretation of Christian suffering under Idi Amin.” He carried out research on suffering in Uganda during Amin’s regime. His social grasp of theological issues is attributable to solid training. “Serving as a bishop was interesting as I was preaching the word of God. Though I started serving God when I was at college, I also got saved (Born Again) and started to participate in different church activities. And I have no regret for doing church work because I am living a comforting and fulfilling life in retirement,” he says.

Retirement is one of the most trending topics of discussion most especially amongst people half way their life.
Most people have a view that for one to have a comfortable and fulfilling retirement, they have to plan extremely well right from the time they start working.
This kind of view is with time being passed know from generation to generation. Bishop Muhima dedicated almost his entire life to serving God and still holds the same view.
For you to have a good time during retirement, you must have planned.

Planning
Having been appointed as North Kigezi Diocese bishop in 2004, he started planning for his life after work. Some of the things he focused on included to have a home, having projects such as farming after saving some money, involving in ministries.
“I knew that my time for retirement would come and I had to strategise early. One of the things that I looked at that time was farming. Unfortunately the venture failed but I did not give up,” he said.

Coping with retirement
Much as people usually find a hard time to cope with life after work, Bishop Muhima had an easier transition. He says his life was more of the same even after retiring. This is because he had planned on how he could easily keep himself engaged and avoid being idle. “I am always doing exercises to keep fit.” He says he didn’t find any difficulty in coping with retirement just like his working days.

Activities
When bishops retire they tend to be idle. But this has not been the case with Dr Muhima. He is an excellent preacher.
He has kept himself busy by engaging in activities such as ministering, writing books, visiting friends and exercising.
He is also engaged in farming at his home in Kireka, Wakiso District. He also says he keeps on reading different books besides writing sermons.

Farming
Bishop Muhima, his wife, Vasta retreated to their home where they practice farming. The couple grows vegetables especially tomatoes.
“I was lured into farming by friends. We started growing tomatoes and along the way we made some profits. We intend to revive this project next season,” says bishop Muhima.
It was the best decision he made because he started earning cash. “We made a profit of Shs2m from the first harvest,” he said.

Early life
Retired Bishop Muhima was born on June 14, 1946. He was raised by Petelo Muhima and Yudesi of Kigezi.
His father was a peasant farmer who had initially wanted Muhima to become a farmer.
Between 1956 and 1962, Muhima attended Nyakasura Church School, Nyakinyonyi Primary School and Bwera Junior.
He went to high school in 1967, the same period he enrolled as licensed teacher. In 1968, he went for a course in Religious Education at Mukono to study Theology, where he was ordained priest.