On 22nd of March 2025 was a day that made me time travel back 34 years.
Upon reaching Busoga College Mwiri for a visit, I was informed that we had to watch the inter-house Music, Dance, and Drama competitions.
In the play by the President’s House, I learnt that my son was one of the actors.
When his section came up, I looked on eagerly to see his mastery of stage drama.
Mugesi stood up from where he was seated on the stage, confidently addressed the Kings from Busoga (the host), Buganda, Toro, Bugwere etc and proceed to open the event.
I focused on his body language to read more into his performance. Boy oh Boy, he spoke confidently, I didn’t see any sense of panic or fear, he was flawless in his delivery for a first timer and that’s when I realized that the adage that states; A fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree is actually true.
All of a sudden, my subconscious mind went on a trip back in time to the year 1991 where as a new Senior 5 student at Makerere College School I was forced to participate in Drama.
Upon leaving SMACK, I was kind of very comfortable relating with a close circle of buddies only and never had the extrovert nature that embraced interacting with large audiences.
Here I was being forced to act, sing and dance moreover within a setting of both sexes (Those that have been to single sex schools can understand the transition challenges I’m talking about).
Out of pressure, I took on the challenge and within no time, I was not only acting but also writing plays.
I did write, direct and act the best French Play, wrote a Luganda play, participated in traditional dances. All this before huge audiences of over 500 people who would come to attend the annual MAPA (Makerere Performing Arts) event which I had the opportunity to feature in for two years in a row.
Dear reader, never underestimate the guts it takes for a youth to stand before an audience and articulate whatever they have to. It’s a very big building block.
This opened my personality up so much that upon reaching Makerere University, I quickly became a regular participant in the LUMBOX Show (Lumumba & Mary Stuart halls).
All through those experiences, my personality as a public facing individual was being built without my knowledge.
Today, I’m what I am largely because of my engagement in the Performing Arts.
Seeing Mugesi on stage at Mwiri humbled me so much because I can see the building blocks of him and other participants into individuals that will be able to significantly impact the communities they live in during the coming times.
Thank you Busoga College Mwiri for adding Performing Arts onto the already rich sports menu offering.
I’m now a sworn Mwiri parent for life.
If I ever reincarnate with a choice of coming back to Earth, I’ll no doubt choose to return to Uganda and study at Busoga College Mwiri as I sign my Soul Contract upon return.