LOURDELIAN MATHIAS KIGGUNDU AND CO – SPONSOR OF THE SPORTS’ BULL WILL BE MISSED AS LOURDEL CELEBRATES 2014 SPORTS VICTORY IN SEPTEMBER

At 15.16hrs, Monday, August 4, 2014, the Thanksgiving Funeral Mass for the Late Matthias Kiggundu Sekitoleko started at SMACK Chapel with SMACK OB Father Nyanzi the Main Celebrant assisted by three Father Co-celebrants as the Cherubim Choir spiced up the service with various tunes.

Father Nyanzi termed it a Thanksgiving Funeral Mass given the energy and effort Matt devoted to SMACK business.  “In SMACK, he was not a simple stakeholder, but a reliable supporter and promoter of the SMACK cause.  He carried the roles with real devotion.  On Sunday’s when there were school functions, he would 1^st join students in Sunday Service before getting involved with other business.  He would always greet students and emphasize discipline as well as orderliness.   He could counsel teachers as well as advise them to keep upgrading in their teaching career. May he prosper in eternity, said Father Nyanzi.

The Head teacher Mr. Mwaka described the Late Kiggundu as a humble man who could not jump the queue.  News of the death was difficult as he had just finished signing the cheques for salaries and had complained about the late delivery that salaries should be by 28^th of every month so that teachers and other workers are not inconvenienced. The recommendation by the Headmaster by the time Matt left SMACK as a student is that he had excelled in all fields he participated in.  Mr. Mwaka said that Kiggundu will be missed for his strictness and good time management.  He had wanted parents who turn up late for functions brought to book, but this was yet to be implemented.  He championed programmes for improvement in academic excellence, had great attachment to the Brothers of Christian Instruction.  In his concluding remarks, the Headmaster said that the school had lost a gentleman, an advisor, a donor and a real parent.

The deputy head teacher academics who Master of Ceremony said that Kiggundu had advocated for zero tolerance as regards discipline, though he had a forgiving heart.  He wanted students nurtured and disciplined in the right direction.  

The Late Kiggundu was very prayerful.  He never missed mass every morning said a Priest at the Late Matt’s home after he passed on.

It was most unfortunate that when the MC called for a speaker on behalf of SMACKOBA, there was no response, so we missed the message from the OB’s official fraternity voice.

The Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Uganda Mr. Ocici has been deputizing Kiggundu as PTA Vice – Chairman.  Ocici said that Kiggundu was no ordinary stakeholder.  He was a devoted man, a man of stature.  Many wishes did not work out in that the abruptness of the death did not give people opportunity to check on him before he passed on.  Whatever anybody would have wanted to say by the side of Matt at the 11^th hour was not possible because they only learnt that he had passed on.  Ocici said that Matt cheered PTA Executive meetings with calmness.  He created unity among the PTA executive and parents.  He led College events which among others included fundraising, Sports just to mention a few.  During his time, staff welfare and student welfare were top on agenda, and good strides were made to see the improvement.  He had a role to play in seeing the Centennial Monument in place, the new Dinning hall, the toilet infrastructure to mention some.  He also strengthened the working relation between SMACKOBA executive and the School Management.

Owek. J. C. Walusimbi the Chairman SMACK Board of Governors said that he was with Matt at SMACK as well as Nairobi University.  “At times when I was so busy with work as Katikkiro, I would delegate to Matt to cheer the meetings,” said Engineer Walusimbi.  Kiggundu was always available for activities at the College.  He always donated a bull which he would co – sponsor with Mr. Sebuliba.

Lourdel House has yet lost another big name and supporter in the name of Matt Kiggundu said Mr. Wakooba Simon Peter the House master.  For Lourdel to have won Sports for 2013 and 2014, the effort and backing of Matt has been a major blessing.  Unfortunately, as the house gets to Bull roast in September, Matt will be long gone.  The House master said that Matt loved Lourdel House and that he was really attached to it.  He became a Lourdelian in 1961 when he joined SMACK.  As a prefect of Lourdel, he achieved a lot for the House.  He loved Lourdel materially, spiritually and financially such that he was always ready to donate.  Lourdelians are going to miss him.  Wakooba imagines that Matt would tell Lourdelians that, “I did this and that for Lourdel House, what about you?,” and those would have been Matt’s last words.

Paul D'Arbela a SMACK OB spoke on behalf of the bereaved family.  He said he is an Old Boy of the College.  “The good works of Matt Kiggundu have been well outlined by the speakers before me.  Matt would be away from home participating in SMACK matters which have been outlined.  The Doctor praised the Cherubim Choir for the good songs during the mass.  As a Lourdelian, Dr. D’Arbela saluted his former House for excelling at Sports; he however said that during his time, Lourdel was a leader at both academics and sports, hence appealed to the students to equally excel at academics as it was the main purpose they were at SMACK.  The Doctor said that Matt’s departure was abrupt; however, it was time to salute Matt and thank God for the gift to SMACK of this great man of distinction.  In concluding remarks, the Doctor said that there is need to give Matt’s family all the support through this trying time of bereavement.

BURIAL

There will be a Funeral Mass at mid day, on Saturday, August 9, 2014 and thereafter burial at the family burial grounds at 2pm.

The Late Matthias Kiggundu Sekitoleko will be laid to rest about half a kilometre from the 2nd branch off to Kajjansi Airstrip along the road to Lutembe.  This is off Entebbe Highway at Kajjansi trading centre at Bweya (Kanyigo - Bulonde Zone).  The Burial
grounds are at his elder Brothers' home (Emmanuel Tamale).  Vehicles will park at St. Francis Xavier Church.  

Kiggundu has been on a number of Boards.  It will be great if SMACK
OBs show up in big numbers at the burial.

May his soul rest in peace

William Kituuka   

Lourdel House.