Tribute to Dick Cema Nyai, a distinguished son of Uganda

On November 21, death robbed Uganda of a distinguished patriot, teacher, politician and pan-Africanist, Dick Cema Nyai who passed on at 76 years old. Dick, as we fondly called him, was a close friend and a jolly good fellow. I knew and interacted with Dick for more than 50 years.
When Nyai’s younger brother, Joe Draku, called me to break the bad news that my good friend had passed on, it took me quite a while to believe that the light had burnt out of one of the bright and shining stars of West Nile. A few moments later, I remembered a message Nyai sent me on November 14 via WhatsApp, exactly one week before he breathed his last.

The message reads as follows: “We are in the last two months of the year. I just want to thank everyone who made me smile this year. You are one of them, so here’s a big THANK YOU.” He sent the same message again on November 16 which made me wonder whether he had a premonition.
I felt humbled and apprehensive when I read Nyai’s message.

Dick Nyai the man
Semei Dick Cema Nyai was born on April 16, 1942, at Oduluba Parish, Ayivu County, Arua District. His parents were Nathan Cema (RIP) and Oripa Onzia (RIP). He was married to Florence Maka (RIP) and is survived by four sons and 10 grandchildren.

Nyai was educated at Arua Junior Secondary School (1955-1956), King’s College Budo (1957-1962) and the University of East Africa, Makerere (1963-1967). He obtained a BA (Hons) degree in English which equipped him for future careers in journalism and politics.
Nyai taught English for three years at Mvara Secondary School. After Mvara, he joined the secretariat of original East African Community where he worked for nine years until EAC collapsed in 1977. He chose to remain in Tanzania and participated actively in the struggle, spearheaded by UPC, to rid Uganda of the notorious Amin regime.

Nyai returned home from exile in 1980 and served Uganda diligently in various capacities, including chief editor of The People newspaper (1980-1985) and a director of Uganda Airlines (1982-1987). From August to December 1985, Nyai was a member of the Uganda delegation to the Nairobi Peace Talks between the Military Commission and NRA.

Nyai was elected a member of the Constituent Assembly (1994-1995) and MP of Ayivu County in the 6th Parliament (1996-2001). He lost in the 2001 elections to Ms Zoe Bakoko Bakoru. I am told his misfortune was received with jubilation and celebration by some callous, fraudulent and shameless residents of Entebbe for whom Nyai was a thorn in the flesh.
As a born-again Christian, Dick took all this in stride and returned to Arua where he participated actively in regional politics and community programmes until the end.

Legacy
Nyai lived a full and productive life and left a powerful legacy. He was a man of integrity, principle and courage. Nyai personified what ancient Greek philosopher Pericles preached, namely that, “the secret of liberty is courage.” Nyai was a free man. If he felt strongly about any issue he would not hesitate to say so clearly and loudly, without fear or favour, which often put him at loggerheads with friends and opponents alike.
As a friend and a committed UPC member, I got along very well with Nyai. We were on the same wavelength on most issues, except on the matter of “Lugbara Kari” or Lugbara kingdom where he was speaker.

My correct and principled position on this reactionary institution is well known. On this matter, I disagreed with Nyai, but out of my deep respect for him, I decided to temporarily tone down my opposition to this counter-productive initiative, promoted by a morally bankrupt regime for ulterior motives.
The people of West Nile gave Dick Nyai a fitting send-off on November 25. May his soul rest in eternal peace!