Don’t only praise but also emulate Nsibambi

What you need to know:

  • The issue: Nsibambi gone
  • Our view: We ask all Ugandans, rich and poor, mighty and miserable, to look into the mirror of life and rank themselves against Nsibambi attributes.

Uganda’s eighth prime minister Apolo Nsibambi, who died on May 28, aged 78, was buried last evening.
In the week since his passing on, tribute has poured in for Makerere University’s pioneer non-head of state chancellor, from within and without.
In Parliament, legislators across the political divide competed for the microphone to eulogise him. Serving and former ministers bothered newsrooms to capture their voices among individuals publicly celebrating Nsibambi’s life.
Social media, particularly the micro-blogging site, twitter, was ablaze with praise for the acclaimed political science scholar.
Nsibambi’s public service record remains unblemished, something uncommon and creditable, considering that the many high government and academic offices he held.
We agree, as have all grievers, that Nsibambi was an astute intellectual, a time keeper, worked with integrity and humility, was a self-professing dedicated servant of God and not greedy.
He retired to a humble home, and turned to agriculture on their ancestral home to continue his exemplary work to lead by commendable deeds and not just words.
At yesterday’s funeral service at St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe, where Nsibambi had a dedicated and permanent seat, Church of Uganda Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, said the good the ex-premier exhibited should challenge us, the living, to emulate those acts.
It is our view that to praise Nsibambi’s incorruptible stance while relishing the dividends of ill-gotten wealth is vile.
To extol his virtues as servant of God and principled man while clothing in sorcery to safeguard one’s job or ceding to power for self-aggrendisement, is sacrilegious.
Praising his intellectual rigour and deserved upward mobility while rewarding mediocrity and promoting favouritism is disrespectful and ignoble.
Citing his love for all as we practice hate and intrigue underlines irrationality. To echo that Nsibambi was forthright while selfishness and greed tie our tongues to speak truth to power, subverts social justice and exposes our hypocrisy.
The former premier’s biggest assets were value-based character, honesty and excellence. Nature enriched him with an able brain. And power and opportunity did not compromise his principles or erode his respect and care for humanity.
It is these ethos we celebrate. We ask all Ugandans, rich and poor, mighty and miserable, to look into the mirror of life and rank themselves against Nsibambi attributes.
In short: Let not our words, but actions, define us. Let us fight injustice, lift up the lowly-placed, respect all, and spread love and cheer. Uganda will work for us all as Nsibambi hoped.
Adieu, ‘Professor Lugubrious’!