THE MONTH OF MAY 2025 | HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS

It is amazing to note that we are alive today! Blessings and peace upon you.

I thank God for you and your loved ones.

The phrase, “no man is an island” is one that I have heard over time and my simple interpretation is that I need you in my life more than you might need me.

God has been faithful to me and my family; we have come this far not by our own might, strength or power but by the grace, mercy and Spirit of God our Creator.

From experience, life can be very challenging and appalling if we don't appreciate each other. It can be difficult if we don't wish each other well. I am particularly glad that God has blessed me with people whom I appreciate and I believe, who appreciate me.

One of the reasons my write up for the month of May comes at the end of the month and not at the beginning is because of the toughness of the season I have been going through.

At the very start of April, we received my dad-in-law (Abooki Robert Mpakani) at our home in Bombo.

He had been brought to Kampala so as to see a specialist and check his health status. We then moved to Mulago (Uganda Cancer Institute) and from morning to evening, we had to be patient while we sought attention. It was not until about 7:00pm that we got admission in the private ward. Thanks to the people whom we approached and who gave us guidance till we got a “bed.”

In the meantime, my grandmother (Kaaka Joy "Governess") in Mbarara had also been bedridden for quite some time. On Friday April 18 2025, I traveled to check on her but it was quite unfortunate that she couldn’t recognize me. That same night, I traveled back to Kampala and spent the Saturday at Mulago.

On Easter Sunday (April 20, 2025), I Mom (Adyeeri Molly Musana) called me share the news that Grand-mother had rested/gone to be with her maker. I prepared, passed by passed by Mulago and checked on Dad and then proceeded to Mbarara to join family and prepare for sendoff of Grandma.

While in Mbarara, very early on Easter Monday (April 21, 2025) my dear wife called announcing that Dad had passed away. I recall that when I checked on him the previous day, I had hope that after the sendoff of Grandma, I would return and be with him/them. Little did I know that Easter Sunday was my last time to see Dad, alive.

I had to take the hard decision to complete with the sendoff of Grandma on Tuesday April 22 and on Wednesday April 23, together with some family members, we drove to Fort Portal for Daddy Abooki's funeral and burial. I thank God for the journey mercies and for hope and confidence I hold in Him (God) to present day. 

While that went on, my Auntie (Ateenyi Sophia Kabanyoro) had spent some time, ill at home in Kyangabukama, Kasiisi, Kiko Town Council. Together with Mom and some family friends, we had went and checked on Ateenyi on May 9, 2025.

It's a pity that on Wednesday 21^st May 2025 at about 1:00am in the night, my Auntie (Adyeeri Kemiyondo) called informing us that Ateenyi had passed on. We had to travel to Fort Portal and had the send-off on Friday May 23, 2025. That night, I had to travel back to Kampala since I had to speak to some youths/young people at Makerere College School.

I needed some time to breathe and relax a little before I could write this message and share it with us.

It is at this point in time that I thank you and many other people who have stood and been with me/us over the seasons and times (good or bad, difficult or easy). THANK YOU. Without you, life would be meaningless. But whenever I see you stepping in and encouraging me and my family to move on, I/we move on. We are here, Ebenezer!

The attitude I have right now is that if I have gone through that fire and come out alive, I am stronger and better than I was before. It implies that I am ready to face any other storm(s) that might come my way. All I pray for is that God shall defend and protect me and my people from more pain and hurt. At least, for a while. Right now, I wish to give more attention to Mom Adyeeri because if I don’t, we are not many who will do so.

I have to balance life between work and family, not forgetting ministry unto God’s people. I know that I too, need time for myself. I have to deliberately create it.

In a world where everything seems to be moving fast and not giving us space to think straight, I must think straight lest I will end upmaking irrational decisions that could affect me and my people for all eternity.

The experience of losing loved ones has taught me and continues to teach me that much as we may hold onto life, eat, drink, make merry and all that, a point reaches in time when we will have to leave. Life will be over. Life will have to end. When it ends, what is it that will be left of us? Good memories? Property or assets? Children? What? I think we must work towards leaving a mark in the people we met along life’s journey; a mark that they shall always try to erase but won’t manage because they it will be what they cling onto to continue with their lives.

It is pointless, therefore, to hate your neighbor. It is worthless to amass wealth by abusing, violating and encroaching on the resources of others especially the vulnerable and weak ones in society. It is pointless to argue, quarrel and fight as though you must take an award for that? What is the point in criminalizing dissent? Do you forget that each of us born free and equal in dignity and rights? Do you forget that we must all live together in harmony and in the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood? 

If you had forgotten, please remember that ultimately, we must live to love and pray for each other. We must live to respect and upholds each other's rights and fundamental freedoms. After all, life is what matters the most. The day you are declared dead and the day your body is sent to the mortuary for preparation for burial is the end of all that you are, all that you have been.

What can we say, then? This is it:

1. Pray with Thanksgiving. No matter what the situation could be, remain prayerful, remain grateful.
2. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.
3. Reflect and think deeply about your life and your story. Speak less. Listen more. Remain humble. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
4. There is so much going on. Be careful not to fall victim of circumstances. As much as possible, stay in your lane so that you are not an inconvenience to the person or people in the other lane or lanes. 
5. Trust God, always trust your Creator. On your own, you can do nothing. With God, you can do everything.  Believe and trust God to open doors that no one can shut and to shut doors that no one can open. 

Robert Mugisa Abwooli Reflections, 2025