Word from the President
Bob Mushikori
Balebe; mwenayo,
I bring you warm greetings from Uganda, in the middle of
an action packed era for the North America Masaaba Cultural Association. Between September 2012 and the present day, we have seen much progress, an outpouring of
support and also, tragedy.
To start, I’d wish to commend into God’s hands, the souls
of those who have passed away. Many of them were our
close friends, relatives and also prominent members of
the community. May their souls rest in eternal peace.
However, there was one amongst the recently departed
who, only recently, was a force to reckon with. On April
11, 2013, death took away the Hon. Dr. Stephen Mallinga.
At the time of his death, he was both Minister of Relief,
Disaster and Refugees, and also Member of Parliament
of Butebo County in Palisa District. Most of all, he was a
good friend of NAMCA.
Many of us remember him delivering an exhilarating
speech on behalf of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the
NAMCA AGM this past December. Like Edward Wanda
notes in our post event report, Uganda’s leader could not
have chosen a better friend for us. The late Dr. Mallinga
loved BaMasaaba as a result of his glorious days at our
own Nabumali High School. In representing the President,
he delivered a 19 page message to BaMasaaba both on the
ground and those of your living in the Diaspora.
He was also on hand to ensure that the President fulfilled
his promise to assist in the construction of the Education Research Center project and other plans NAMCA put
forward to work in partnership with the Government of
Uganda.
Thus, while we do not doubt that others will continue his
good work, his passing leaves us bereaved. Therefore, in
honor of his passing, we dedicate this report to him.
In other news, I am pleased to report that in a bid to do
more for our people on the ground, the NAMCA President’s office will be in charge of the NAMCA country office. In the process, we shall establish an administrative
bureaucracy and ensure that membership is informed of
the different activities undertaken on their behalf. All this
is geared towards bringing progress for our people and
ensuring that our dreams - those that came from Sarah
Pande Wanda and Edward Wanda in New York and 22
Tweedrock Crescent in Toronto - are fulfilled. Our 10 years
of existence have not been for naught. We are now on the
ground - amongst old friends, relatives and
fellow BaMasaaba on our very own soil.
At this juncture, allow me to offer a sincere word of gratitude. Like they say: ‘Gratitude is the heart’s memory.’ And
these years, serving as NAMCA president, have not only
been beneficial but also a learning curve for me. In attending weddings and christenings; in consoling the bereaved
and taking decisions on matters of importance, I have
worked with a whole host of talented BaMasaaba who, if
given have the chance, will prove to be effective leaders
of Uganda.
These are the things that give me absolute joy. That’s why,
in the middle of tragedy, in watching our people struggle,
stumble and stand up, I am sure that there’s a light at the
end of the tunnel. BaMasaaba will prevail.
Bob S.K. Mushikori . May 2013