ANDREW BWOGI – A MAN OF ALL SEASONS
REST IN PEACE ANDREW BWOGI
I read it on this Page [ABASINIYA (Kigezi College Butobere)] and it didn’t sound like a funny joke but in my mind, I knew Andrew Bwogi would still laugh about someone joking that he was dead. My mind lied to me, that Bwogi would pull out a much funnier joke on the culprit. Tusiime Roland Kamujanduzi is very serious with whatever he does, yet still I never believed when he also posted it. 30 Minutes into the day, the abbreviation R.I.P became the most common thing on our page. I summoned all energy and called someone I was sure wouldn’t joke in such an amateurish fashion.
“Sam, have you called to give me Bad news?” Dr Moses Twesigye-omwe retorted as if provoked. We exchanged a few words and I hung up. Confusion then set in. I posted my 1st RIP message after the call but kept waiting for Andrew Bwogi to shame all of us by posting on ‘his’ wall… “Do not be fooled, I am still alive”. Indeed when I looked at his page, his last msg was a post on Karecera Peter’s status and it read “BABACONINGA….” Meaning ‘You have been conned.’ I quickly breathed a sigh of relief before it turned out he was commenting on something else just less than 24 hrs before breathing his last.
Up to now, beyond doubt, Andrew Bwogi will never post that message. That’s how Dramatic Andrew left this chaotic world, just as dramatic as his life was.
I am always a committed member of Siniya activities and you need less energy to drag me in. When I missed the 1st Siniya Alumni Forum meeting, I missed meeting Bwogi but he kept me alive with his funny commentary on our wall. When Ntahobari posted that Bwogi threatened to chop off his tail, I missed him more. The drama that came with his threat to sing the 2nd Stanza of our anthem was so captivating that, he was a match for Kinimba Actors. Bwogi knew how to keep the group alive and indeed, the get together was pulled off in absolutely stylish fashion. That day the 6th of August 2011 is when I physically met Bwogi. He recognized me before I did, “Sam R Tayebwa” he called me by my full facebook names. “How are you? Ninye Bwogi” before I could get embarrassed by asking his name. That’s how tranquil and compassionate Bwogi was. During the whole get together, I never wanted to get away from him, something about him was strongly attractive, and his sense of Humour was original and captivating. As a co-MC to Fred Busingye I needed words and jokes, he kept murmuring them in my ears and I seemed like an entertainer. Like the Baganda say “Ofudde Nyo Bwogi” “watusse”.
The outpouring of emotion on the Siniya page since Monday was like nothing I had seen before. Everyone had something to say about Andrew. From Monday, I have not put my phone down; I have constantly been updated about Bwogi’s life and his escapades. I now seem like I have known him all my life. I now know him as an active scout, a Dramatist, a sportsman, record holder in high jump at Siniya, he studied in “ESITUGI” (S.2 G) at the “KOREJI” and many more things.
Bwogi was a helpful fellow and always there when anyone needed him. Bwogi chopped off tails and protected some from the wrath. Indeed Bwogi was a true Musiniya. Bwogi gave us a platform, this page, to discuss and he is so generous that on top of creating more Admins for the same page he created he has left it all together at its peak.
Andrew was that thread that connected the Basiniya of 80s, 90s and 00s whom he happily used to call ‘Engata.’ That thread has now turned into a bridge and more than anything else, this should be Andrew’s legacy to us. He will look down at our activities and will be extremely happy. Must I say how he will feel, if we fail his dream? No…!
We are sad, we are in pain and some people are angry. We must not forget that God has his plans but also controls mankind. None of us can tell what calamity would have befallen Andrew had he stayed with us. No one can tell how much grief it would have brought us to see Andrew suffering may be from some rare pain. We are humans and that’s why he is God. He took away Andrew to leave us with a lasting Memory. Indeed mine will last.
Let’s grieve, let us talk, let us ask questions but above all, let us remember that God gave us Andrew and for that, we should forever be thankful. Not everyone had the opportunity of meeting Andrew and to some of us that story sounds even more unlikely had it not been from God’s Master plan that we do. Where would we have met Andrew Basiniya of late 90s? It is even worse for the likes of Mwesi Jay and the infamous 00s (Engata)
Although death leaves a pain no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal. From Andrew we got Love.
It is always difficult to see beyond sorrow but looking back in memory will help comfort us tomorrow.
Like in a play when the curtains draw, you clap your hands and lift yourself off. Much as you may look back on that empty stage with nostalgia, you dust your behind and move on. No one seeks refuge in a theatre just because it hosted a wonderful play.
Tomorrow morning may we try to seek comfort from the thought that ‘Our lives were enriched by Andrew’s earthly journey?’
Andrew; Look down on us with pity, when we fail to do as you would have done don’t get annoyed for a few can be like you. Above all else, even when we know you will represent us well there above…
May your soul rest in Perfect Peace for you deserve nothing less…!
