Chapter 9: University Life

Joining Makerere University Kampala (MUK)

I joined Makerere University Kampala, in April 1972, to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and a concurrent diploma in Education. I was assigned to University Hall, where I already had several friends with whom I had been at school. I was given my key and taken to my double room. Joining University was a life changing experience.

The Makerere Free Travelling Theatre (MFTT)

The Makerere Free Travelling Theatre was a Troupe of 14 actors and actresses. The travelling theatre under my leadership, traversed the country for thirty days during the September October vacation, 1973. The troupe went out with a repertoire of plays giving two shows in a different town every day for about 30 days in Uganda and Kenya. Everything run smoothly, until a venue clash with Zairean music Maestro Tabu Ley, at the White Rhino Hotel, Arua.

The Travelling Theatre got me acquainted with the great names in the literature Department and in Music Dance and Drama in Makerere. In 1972, it also brought us into contact with the dreaded Captain Nasur Abdallah who told us, “Now you must act a play for my men.” Two days later, our Vice Chancellor whom we had met on our second day on tour was kidnapped, never to be seen alive again.

Meeting Lucy Again

One evening, a friend invited me to his room to meet his visitors. In his room I found his companion and her sister who was now in senior three. Eight years later, I would lead her to the altar.

Taking Aviation Fuel

One of the most thrilling events then happened with Drum Kaddu. One afternoon we met to drive to Nakaseke. Instead, he headed to Entebbe Airport hangars, where a young bulky man was expecting him. They talked in whispers and the young man went to a storage facility near the hangars and returned with a jerrycan of fuel, which he filled into drum’s car. I had never seen aviation fuel before. It is then that I learnt that aeroplanes used aviation kerosene.