Life shaped by commitment to public service and faith
What you need to know:
- Title: The Diplomatic Path of a Missionary’s Son
- Author: Ambassador George W. Kinuka
- Price: Shs50,000
- Availability: Will be available in most Bookshops
- Pages: 150
- Published: 2025
Ambassador George W Kinuka’s memoir, The Diplomatic Path of a Missionary’s Son, is more than a collection of memories. It is a moving account of a life shaped by faith, discipline, and a remarkable commitment to public service.
Written in memory of his parents, Rev Yosiya and Dorokasi Kinuka, this book offers a rich and deeply personal journey through one man’s life across continents and historic moments.
Born in 1935 in Gahini, Rwanda to Ugandan parents serving in the Church, George Kinuka’s early life was rooted in the values of integrity, humility, and service. These values—passed down from his missionary parents, were not just part of his upbringing, but the compass that guided him through every stage of his life.
In the foreword, Prof Tumwine reflects not only on Kinuka’s diplomatic brilliance but on the strength of a friendship that has endured over six decades. “Lastly, true friendships, like the one George and I have shared for 66 years,” he writes, “should stand the test of time—unwavering and free from preconditions.”
This sentiment resonates throughout the book, where relationships—personal and professional—are treated with respect, care, and loyalty. Kinuka’s diplomatic career is impressive by any standard.
After Makerere University, he joined the foreign service and served in New Delhi, London, Kinshasa, and Lusaka, rising to the rank of full ambassador. His postings were anything but ordinary.
In India, he had the rare privilege of interacting with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and, in a more personal milestone, proposed to his fiancée Rosebell Kitaburaza, a nursing student in Liverpool (UK). Their marriage has now lasted an astounding 56 years.
The memoir is peppered with fascinating snapshots from history. Kinuka was in Singapore during the 1971 Idi Amin coup. He played a vital role in the repatriation of the remains of the Kabaka of Buganda from London in 1969.
While serving in Kinshasa, he met boxing legend Muhammad Ali and witnessed the iconic "Rumble in the Jungle" fight. But diplomacy is not always glitz and glamour, and Kinuka does not shy away from recounting moments of deep anxiety—such as when he was asked to deliver a provocative message from President Mobutu of DRC to President Idi Amin, a task he approached with wisdom and tact.
There were also personal and professional setbacks. His cars were stolen at gun-point on two separate occasions. There was a time he and his family had to flee to Nairobi for safety. Yet these incidents are shared not with bitterness, but with perspective and even grace.
This book is not boastful, yet it quietly commands admiration. Kinuka comes across as a man who was never driven by power, but by purpose. His years as chief of protocol and later Deputy Consul of Malta to Uganda show not only his expertise but also his deep understanding of people and diplomacy.
Now at 90, George Kinuka has given Uganda and the world a literary gem.
The book includes rare photographs. These are not just images; they are windows into a life well-lived and a legacy that spans generations. This memoir published by Gomes Book House will be officially launched in Kampala on June 21, 2025.
