Death has robbed the Cathedral of one of the most senior and most respected choir members of the Namirembe Cathedral Choir. The late Samuel Kalumba died on Monday December 29, 2014 at the age of 77 after battling with cancer. He is survived by 5 children; 2 girls and 3 boys.
Samuel joined Namirembe Cathedral Choir in 1947 at the age of 6 years when he was in P.1.
In 2007, Namirembe Cathedral Magazine published as interview with Samuel in which he talked about his life in Namirembe. This article is reproduced here for those who may have missed it or even forgotten about it
May his soul rest in peace. See burial arrangements on right
60 Years And Still Counting Samuel S. B. Kalumba, 66 [Ed: in 2007], (popularly called senior), has been a Member of Namirembe Cathedral Choir since 1947; He is a source of inspiration to the little treble boys, and continues to bridge the generation gap and tell the History of Namirembe Cathedral Choir. Dunstan Mukalazi had a chat with him and below are the excerpts.
Qn. Senior, what inspired you to join the choir, and when was that?
I joined Namirembe Cathedral Choir at the age of 6, when I was a P.1 pupil in 1947. The late Eriya Paulo Lwasampijja Kaizi (former Master of Choristers & Cathedral organist), had made one of his routine visits to Namirembe Boys' School (then housed in the present day Kayanja building at the Cathedral) to sniff for talent.
My voice impressed Lwasa so much that he took me to his family where he did close supervision to polish my singing distinction.
He later took me to the late Bishop Edgar Stuart, who graciously offered to pay my school fees and this in turn encouraged me to be more dedicated to the Lord's work.
With time, I changed from singing treble to alto and I have made an effort never to miss the weekly choir practice sessions and particularly the Sunday services for the last 60 years.
Qn. You have surely seen a lot during your stay; what memories do you cherish most?
19th November, 1948, will always linger on in my memory. On that day, I had the privilege of being part of the choir as Sir Edward Mutesa II wedded Lady Damali Kisosonkole, at Namirembe Cathedral.
Singing treble, I performed a duet with the late Lubambula (Tenor), for the introductory hymn "Awasa Omugole ajja, Muyimuke", ("Sleepers wake" by J. S. Bach). This is the song that ushered in Sir Edward Mutesa II, as he came to wed Lady Damali Kisosonkole.
51 years later, again I had the privilege of being part of the Cathedral Choir, at the wedding of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II to Lady Sylivia Nagginda Luswata on 27th August, 1999. These are memories that will live with me always.
I also had a chance to witness the consecration of Bp. Barya as the 1st black Anglican Bishop in East & Central Africa in 1948.
Qn. Besides singing in the Cathedral Choir, where else have you exploited your talent as a Musician?
In 1962, I joined the Nyonza singers and had an opportunity to travel with them to several places.
In 1972, I went with them and performed at New York's Lincoln centre for the performing Artistes. Later we also took part in the John F Kennedy Festival at the White House in Washington D.C.
Speaking of talent, I also had a talent as a footballer and played for Mengo old boys, Express FC, Police FC and also had a stint with the National Football Team, the Uganda Cranes between 1964 – 1974.
Particularly, I was part of the Uganda Cranes that took part in the Africa Cup of Nations in Addis – Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1968, and to date I cherish a photo taken with emperor Haile Sellasie, that hangs in my living room.
Qn You have told told us your cherished memories as a member of the Cathedral Choir. Are there any sad memories that you remember?
The gruesome murder of Katikkiro Martin Luther Nsibirwa, just outside the west door of the Cathedral in 1947, comes to mind. It was a terrible sight to me as a young boy, whose school was at the Cathedral. His bullet riddled body, lay in a pool of blood all day before police took it away.
The return of the body of late Sir Edward Muteesa II in 1971 was a sad moment from which I learnt a lot. Buganda was united in grief, with mourners lining up from as far as Busega to the Cathedral, to view the body and pay their last respects. Inspite of the enormity of grief and number of people, no one pushed another in the line!! They were so many, yet so calm.
I was also part of the choir on the day Arch Bishop Eric Sabiiti was barred from entering the Cathedral in 1967, while I now know the events that led to this, I do not have a vivid memory of how the deed was executed, because, being the Cathedral cross bearer then, I had already entered when it occurred.
Qn Some Musicians tend to find it difficult to balance family life, with career and ministry. Have you encountered any challenges as a church Musician?
The Musical discipline of Choristers is formulated in the earlier life of members and it is then that they learn to manage their time.
When I got married in 1973, my wife Ruth Leah (RIP), knew that I was a Cathedral chorister. She therefore, had no problem adjusting to my way of life and indeed encouraged me to go for practice as and when I was expected.
At work, I used to end at 4 p.m. and so, still had the time for choir practices intact.
Qn Talents are usually passed on to children. Does any of your children have the passion for church music?
Daniel Kalumba is an amateur Musician, although plays the piano, having read music at A' Level. While he is not really into church music, he is the only one of them that has some music interest as others haven't taken it on. He also played some football at school.
Qn When is it that you feel you were at the peak in your music ministry?
While I was in P.3 – Junior Secondary II, I sang several solos and made many adult friends as "Omwana wa Lwasa". It always gave me a lot of pleasure meeting an adult away from church who could easily remember having seen me in the choir.
Qn . What word of encouragement do you have for the current choir leadership and the young Cathedral choristers?
They should be devoted and remain strong in the faith. The God we serve sees it all. I owe my everything to that institution; the school fees, the exposure, the life long friendships, my marriage, name it …. And there have been no regrets for heeding to the call.
Qn If you knew that you were going to die, what would be your last piece of music or hymn to sing?
Psalm 139 and "Rejoice in the Lord alway" by Henry Purcell, (Kale, Musanyukirenga mu Mukama waffe, nate njogera nti Musanyukenga). I would also advise my children, (and this includes the choristers) to always meditate on Psalm 46 (Katonda kye kiddukiro n'amaanyi gaffe…)
Qn. What inscriptions would you love to appear on your epitaph?
The words of Philippians 4:4
| | |  Funeral Arrangements
Died: December 29, 2014
Funeral service:
5:00PM December 30, 2014
at Namirembe Cathedral
Burial
2:00PM December 31, 2014
at Buloba
|  Kalumba (standing first left) at the farewell of Bishop Ssekkadde in August 2009 |  | | |
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