{UAH} A great elder of the Ugandan community in France dies in Paris!

( The late Mr Akiiki Maiteki - photos by courtesy of UCIF )

The Ugandan community in France and many other people around are indeed saddened by the shocking news announcing the untimely death of the much beloved Mubiito Prince Akiiki Maiteki Butamanywa ( Kabarega) who passed on a few days ago. Doctors have confirmed the death as being a result of natural causes. Deepest condolences to all members of his family in Uganda. R.I.P. our very much beloved brother! You'll always be remembered for your charity and very good behaviour as a humble man who have been very sociable and warmly open to all!

The late Mr Akiiki Maiteki Butamanywa (Kabarega) was born in Bunyoro Kingdom in the region of Kiryandongo in June 1944. His late parents were humble persons but of royal origin. The father belonged to the great Babiito clan of the ruling dynasty of Bunyoro. He was therefore a prince. Young Maiteki attended local schools for his early education. As he was a brilliant pupil he succeeded to enter famous King's College Buddo for his secondary school education and he was a member of Muteesa House. At Buddo he would regularly interact with many fellow students who later became wonderful alumni of the college. He was in the same year with late Sulaiman Kiggundu and was some years behind ex-Minister Aggrey Awori who with his colleague Erasmus Amukun were very prominent national athletes. From Buddo he worked for sometime with Sapoba Publishers where he was initiated into journalism. He got a scholarship to UK where he did some further studies before winning another scholarship that led him to university in the then Soviet Union where he read journalism and political science. From there he proceeded to Czechoslovakia where he continued with political science, etc.. He got a Master's and decided to apply for a job at the Institute of Oriental Studies in Paris. His application was successful and he worked there for very many years until retirement.

It's very important to note that at the time of his death he was just packing his luggage to return  to Uganda for good! And he had even collected his ticket from the travel agency! And he had already bid farewell to a number of friends. His people back at home had been informed of his return and had hired two buses from Bunyoro to Entebbe International Airport where he was supposed to land last Tuesday ( 02/10/2018 ). As the plane landed and passengers started coming out his very humble travel-weary people got excited in the vain hope that their great relative and friend whom they hadn't seen for three decades might answer present just like the dozens of other travellers marching majestically on tarmac!  

Airport officials advised them to return the following day as it appeared to them that Maiteki had probably missed his plane. They returned! But there was no Maiteki on that plane...So one relative rang Paris and some Ugandan friends went to Maiteki's appartment. They knocked at the door and some tried to call him on his mobile, no answer! They referred to the caretaker of the building who came and had the door opened. To the Ugandans' very great sad surprise Maiteki was no more. He had died, probably some few days back. And was lying on the floor of his appartment! The body was very cold. It appears he might have collapsed when doing the final cleaning in the flat. A doctor was rushed in and he made a report confirming the death.

Arrangements are in full gear to fly the body to Uganda for burial at the ancestral burial grounds in Bunyoro! Deepest condolences to the family, relatives, friends and former alumni including fellow Budonians! And in a special way, very sincere condolences to all members of the Ugandan community in France who are now going to miss such a very precious personality of their wonderful community. 

Dr G.H. Kkolokolo ( Paris / France ) 

--
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com