Engabu Za Tooro mourns their former patron and sponsor - the late Gideon Nkojo

Mr. Gideon Nkojo Atwoki who died from the USA in 2020 and his remains will be laid to rest at his country home in Mirongo, Kabarole – Uganda on 1^st March, 2022 was a long serving patron and a leading individual sponsor of  Engabu Za Tooro programs.

Mr. Nkojo who was an economist, served in several capacities, among them, he was a governor of Bank of Uganda and World Bank country representative in several countries around the world.

It was in 2002 when Engabu Za Tooro launched a program dubbed “Tusagike Omuka” (support initiatives back home). It was aimed at mobilizing Diaspora communities around the world to contribute to development initiatives taking place in the communities of origin. A research was conducted to identify and approach prominent Batooro living abroad. Many were identified and approached but only a few responded positively. Despite low response, a lot of achievements were realized.

One such example of the achievement of the initiative was mobilization of a renowned international scholar, Professor John Ruganda who admitted has spent 40 years out of his home country and was excited to be back home. He officiated our annual events, visited relatives, eventually bought land and built a home which only a few years became a final resting place when he passed on.

It was in this same initiative that we came in contact with the now late Gideon Nkojo who was often in Uganda but not necessarily participating in community initiatives. We invited him after being turned down by so many. His reply was, you don’t even need to invite me to do my own responsibility.

He could travel from the USA on his own expense and come to honor our invitation to participate in activities where he could also contribute funds to organize these activities. He was a professional but not a rich business man. He used his personal savings to fund our scholarship scheme which catered for 65 learners per year. He taught us virtues of a simple lifestyle.

As a son of a prime minister in the then Kingdom of Tooro, who went through the prestigious royal schools and worked in the biggest institutions of the world like World Bank, he was certainly a member of the privileged aristocracy. But his lifestyle didn’t demonstrate prestige but simplicity.

May his soul rest in peace

 

Stephen Rwagweri

Executive Director

Engabu Za Tooro