Special Report By Brian Mugenyi
Kampala: Former Vice President and Presidential Special Envoy Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi has paid tribute to the late Col. (Rtd) George Wilson Kamya, describing him as a man of remarkable fortitude whose life was shaped by integrity, faith and the turbulent history of East Africa.
Ssekandi made the remarks while congratulating Hon. Beti Olive Kamya and her family following the launch of her late father’s autobiography, Soldier of Faith.
In his message, Ssekandi said the publication was an important effort to ensure that Col. Kamya’s experiences and values were not lost to time.
“He was a man of remarkable fortitude who navigated a complex era of East African history with absolute integrity and faith.”
Ssekandi described the autobiography as more than a family record, saying it provides an opportunity for future generations to understand the life and principles of a man who lived through a significant period in the region’s history.
“A FRIEND I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON”
In a separate tribute to Gen. Salim Saleh Akandwanaho, Ssekandi described him as “a friend I can always count on,” praising his kindness, tolerance and willingness to support ordinary Ugandans.
The two messages, while concerning different personalities, reflect Ssekandi’s broader emphasis on preserving the contributions of individuals whose lives have influenced Uganda and the wider East African community.
For Ssekandi, documenting such lives is important because history is not preserved only through official records.
It is also preserved through personal experiences, family memories and the stories of people who lived through defining periods.
BETI KAMYA’S ROLE IN PRESERVING HER FATHER’S STORY
Ssekandi congratulated Hon. Beti Olive Kamya and her family for ensuring that Col. Kamya’s voice and legacy were preserved through Soldier of Faith.
He specifically recognised the resilience required to bring such a personal history into the public domain.
“Thank you for your resilience in ensuring his voice and legacy were not lost to time, but instead preserved to instruct and inspire future generations.”
The remarks place the autobiography within a wider generational conversation: how families can preserve the experiences of their predecessors so that younger people can learn from them.
WHEN PERSONAL MEMORY BECOMES HISTORY
For Ssekandi, the significance of Soldier of Faith goes beyond the launch of another book.
The autobiography gives readers an opportunity to encounter the experiences, convictions and challenges of an earlier generation through the story of Col. Kamya.
Such personal accounts can help connect historical events with the people who experienced them.
They can also preserve values that families believe deserve to be passed from one generation to another.
In Col. Kamya’s case, Ssekandi’s tribute highlights fortitude, integrity and faith as central elements of the legacy being preserved.
A MESSAGE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
The launch therefore becomes both a celebration of family history and a reminder of the importance of recording Uganda’s past.
As generations change, memories can disappear unless they are documented.
Ssekandi’s message suggests that preserving such stories allows future generations to reflect on the experiences and values of those who came before them.
For Hon. Beti Kamya and her family, Soldier of Faith represents that bridge between generations.
And for Ssekandi, the book provides a lasting opportunity for Col. George Wilson Kamya’s story to continue speaking to Ugandans and East Africans beyond his lifetime.
“Congratulations once again,” Ssekandi said, celebrating the family for turning their father’s memory into a written legacy capable of instructing and inspiring future generations.
Photo Caption: Hon. Beti Olive Kamya and family during the launch of Col. (Rtd) George Wilson Kamya’s autobiography, Soldier of Faith.