Pius ‘Uncle Pio’ Kamugisha
Family, relatives and friends Tuesday morning convened at St. Jude Catholic Parish, Ssenge in Wakiso district to pray for the departed soul of Pius Kamugisha (Uncle Pio). Kamugisha was Galaxy FM co-director and Chairman. He was involved in an accident along the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway on Saturday evening and succumbed to injuries sustained in the occurrence. While delivering eulogies, speakers agreed that Kamugisha was generous, calm, loving and above all, loved God.
Jonathan Busulwa, a friend and Chairman Organizing Committee for Kamugisha’s decent send-off says the deceased will be dearly missed.
“If we start talking about Pius, we will spend the whole day here. Take 30 seconds or one minute and remember a moment with Pius. Let’s continue praying for his soul. Pius will be missed,” Busulwa told mourners.
Head of Laity, Mwanje Lubowa, revealed that Kamugisha contributed generously towards the construction of the Church.
When he came here (Ssenge, Mwanje said, “He looked for church leaders. They brought him to me. He offered cement twice towards the Church construction.”
Kalungu Member of Parliament, Joseph Ssewungu, an old boy, knew Kamugisha for being a loving man, noted from the love he (Kamugisha) showed towards his wife, Esther Wamala Kamugisha.
Pius ‘Uncle Pio’ Kamugisha
The lawmaker revealed that he first met Kamugisha in P.2 at Savio. Since then, they got along. In 2010, ssewungu said he acquired Kamugisha’s SMS’ services when he showed interest in contesting to MP.
“He told me to go and get contacts. Mobile phones were few but I returned with papers containing contacts. He sent messages to my people in Kalungu. I asked him, “How do you do these things?” Ssewungu said. Ssewungu, however, renewed calls to have adequate lighting on the Entebbe Expressway, where Kamugisha met his death, for proper visibility and avert further accidents and deaths.
Meddie Nsereko, who spoke on behalf of CBS staff (employers of Kamugisha’s widow) knew Kamugisha for being happy and lively. According to Nsereko, he first met Kamugisha years ago when the deceased was procuring a plot of land at Katwe. It is then that Kamugisha told him (Nsereko) that he was married to Esther Wamala. Nsereko says since then, he got closer to Kamugisha.
In a message delivered verbatim, Katikkito – Charles Peter Mayiga – lauded Kamugisha for creating/investing platforms that created employment opportunities for the young people.
Dr. Innocent Nahabwe, the Chief Executive Officer – Galaxy FM – delivered probably the longest eulogy.
Nahabwe first met Kamugisha in 2005 or thereabout. They were all employees at an SMS company, which company they would later abandon to start their own – BluCube.
Pius ‘Uncle Pio’ Kamugisha
According to Nahabwe, Kamugisha was the first to quit SMS Media, while he and Bobby remained on the meagre salary while also working for BluCube, until when they stabilized, moved from employing one person to employing about 150 people to day and birthing other companies, including Galaxy FM, together. He described the relationship between Bobby Pio and himself as those of cooking stones, describing Kamugisha as a caring, calm, loving, patient, a parent and that Uncle Pio (as he was popularly known), will be dearly missed. Nahabwe is hopeful that the dreams and aspirations and strategic ideas Kamugisha had will live to materialize.
On their side, Esther’s family commended Kamugisha for his generosity. However, they say that “God has His own agenda.”
Kamugisha’s Uncle was equally amazed upon learning that the deceased was supporting the Church. I thought the youngsters were no longer interested in God. To learn that Kamugisha contributed immensely towards the development of the Church, I am encouraged.
“Help your Church to grow from strength to strength because nobody will do it for you,” he appealed to mourners.
Kamugisha’s mother noted that her son was all she had. Apart from God, she said, “I stood on Kamugisha’s shoulder.” Kamugisha’s mother got to know about her son’s death two hours after talking to him on phone and even praying together. The call that woke her up came with a death announcement.
She was, however, thankful for the support rendered towards making sure that her son is granted a decent send-off.
Mercy, an orphan, talked love about her late father.
“We felt his love. He left us memories of love. He was calm. He loved us.”
Kamugisha’s widow, Esther, says that her man gave her everything. “He had a lot of love for these children. Pius has done the best. The children are going to the best schools. I have driven the best cars. I know he will sing with the Angels in Heaven.”
Pius ‘Uncle Pio’ Kamugisha
Born November 24, 1971; Kamugisha was survived by a wife and 5 children (3 girls and two boys). He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home tomorrow in Ibanda district.
Watch more on Galaxy TV: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGS3XRL3S3-yeQBe1_5RWw
