Moses Mukasa: Aldrine Nsubuga's father burial for August 27

Multi-talented Moses Mukasa, who died at 84 in June, will be laid to rest on August 27 after his body is repatriated from the US

OBITUARY | Moses Edward Mikka Mukasa was simply everything. From his formative years through to adult life and being father of motormouthed sports pundit Aldrine Nsubuga Snr, he is probably quietly commanding the hellos from the other side.

Mukasa, who passed away on June 13, 2024, at the University of Pennsylvania Presbyterian Medical Centre in Philadelphia, PA, after a long illness, will finally be laid to rest on August 27.

Repatriation of the body of the former head prefect of King's College Budo and one of the pioneer A-Level candidates in East Africa has been a tedious process but after two months, it has been announced that he will be buried in Kitende - Lumuli (9 miles Entebbe Rd) on Tuesday 27 August at 4pm, according to a programme released by the Budo alumni.

Mukasa was born on February 4, 1942, on Lake Victoria Island of Koome, Mukono District, to Christopher Muso and Agnes Nakawombe.

He was educated at Bishop Hannington Primary School in Mukono after moving from the island.

In 1955, he earned a government scholarship to attend King's College Budo Junior Secondary School, Uganda's premier boys' high school.

Excelling both academically and in extracurricular activities such as choir, theatre, cricket, and football, Mukasa earned School Colors in both sports.

He served as Prefect for South Africa House in 1960 and Head Prefect in 1961, receiving a Kanzu from Sir Edward Mutesa II, the 35th Kabaka of Buganda and first President of Uganda.

According to Bachelor Brothers funeral services, Mukasa's academic excellence saw him consistently at the top his class, earning admiration from both peers and teachers.

His extracurricular activities included singing in the choir, and theatre – where he played leading roles in the school's Shakespeare productions.

"Beyond the classroom, Mukasa's athletic prowess shone brightly. As a key player in the school's cricket and football teams, he not only secured victories but also won School Colours in both sports, marking him as a versatile and talented athlete," the funeral home said of the late Mukasa's obituary.

The late Mukasa pursued higher education at Makerere University, where he also played cricket for the university and the national team.

His tenure with the national team during a politically tumultuous period following the expulsion of Asians from Uganda in 1972 made him the first native African wicketkeeper.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Studies from Makerere University in 1966, and a Master of Arts in Economics, Statistics, and Population Studies from the University of Michigan in 1968, setting the stage for a distinguished career in population studies and international development.

The late Mukasa began his career at Uganda's Ministry of Finance and later held senior roles at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, including Chief Government Statistician.

He led Uganda’s first post-independence national census in 1969.

After being exiled in 1977, Mukasa worked with international organisations, including evaluating the First African Census Programme and with the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), focusing on family planning and reproductive health across Africa.

In 1989, he joined the UNFPA as Country Director for Zambia and later served as the UNFPA Representative for Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Ghana, also acting as the United Nations Resident Coordinator.

His work involved managing population assessments, developing country programmes, and advising on integrating population concerns into development planning.

His notable achievements include initiating family welfare and HIV/AIDS programs in Zambia, creating Botswana's first adolescent reproductive health program, and leading advocacy efforts in Ghana for HIV/AIDS and gender equality.

Mukasa also chaired the UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in Ghana and co-founded the Centre for African Family Studies in Nairobi.

He was a life member of the Family Planning Association of Uganda and supported numerous initiatives to combat poverty and health disparities.

An avid stamp collector, reader, storyteller, and sports enthusiast, Mukasa supported Manchester United, Ghana's Black Stars, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the West Indies Cricket Team.

After retirement, he continued his work as an AmeriCorps volunteer and Prevention Specialist for The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium.

He authored several influential publications on population and family planning, contributing to works such as "Population Growth and Economic Development in Africa."

As a dedicated Pan-Africanist, Mukasa devoted his career to enhancing population health and economic development across Africa.

The late Mukasa is survived by his wife Sarah; his children Primrose Nakawula, Paulo Gavva Mukasa, Aldrine Nsubuga, Joyce Nantagya, Solome Mukasa, Christopher Mukasa, Livingstone Mukasa, Agnes Mukasa, and several grandchildren and two great grandchildren.