FARE THEE WELL DR. GEORGE WILLIAM MAYANJA (LOURDELIAN)

It is sad the passing on of the Child Specialist - Dr. George William Mayanja of the well known Victoria Medical Centre on Lumumba Avenue. I learnt the news of the death during the early personal announcements on CBS 88.8 FM. I 1st learnt that Dr. Mayanja was seriously sick from Norah Mukasa the in-charge of SMACKOBA Office at the NOOK, she told me that the doctor had been taken to India; this was at a time when we thought that he knew better the answer to some question that had been posed regarding the past activities of the Old Boy’s Association where he has for long been a big mobilize and schemer for the organization’s better health.
It is sad Doctor Mayanja is gone, however, he leaves a lot of challenges for those of us who are still alive, more so the Old Boys of St. Mary’s College Kisubi and those in medical practice. Many times he had no boundary between his on funds and his personal contribution to the good health of the Old Boys Association. Many times news of the death of an old boy of the school could reach him and out of his pocket would raise at least shs 100,000 on behalf of the Association. His works at SMACK and contribution to its current beauty are part of his efforts.
I cam e to know Doctor Mayanja while I was still in Nile Bank around 1990 when he opened a clinic at Spear House, shortly after I left services of the bank,Dr. Mayanja remained my good friend and would on many occasions give me courage; he would endeavour to give me some lunch and would give me some good audience, and more so, he encouraged me to be active in the Old Boy’s Association business, and I must say, because of that effort, I have been able to make the contribution to the school up to the work on this sad news.
In 2001, I got a motor accident and I was rushed to Dr. Mayanja’s Clinic on Lumumba Avenue, the Doctor was around, he immediately got medicine to reduce my pain, organized for an immediate x-ray of my chest and after comforted me that I was to be okay. We thought about payments long after I had got out of danger. I will surely miss Dr. Mayanja.
When I called on Dr. Mayanja in the course of 2005, he encouraged me to do some work for St. Mary’s College Kisubi as preparations were being made to celebrate centenary in 2006. I started work at Mbire’s office on NSSF Towers where I was for one month. Thereafter, Dr. Mayanja talked to Brother Edward Bukenya Head teacher at St. Mary’s College Kisubi to get some office facility for me at the school such that work on the school website and other work could be done seriously. Before I went to Kisubi, Dr. Mayanja had endeavoured to facilitate me to do the work. I will surely miss him.
Around May 2006, Dr. Mayanja told me that there was need to open an office for the Old Boys in town to ease coordination prior to the centenary celebrations. The office was acquired at the NOOK and furnished. The mobilization efforts are self explanatory given the big turn-up of Old Boys for the function. It is because Dr. Mayanja encouraged me that I have able to make the various contributions to the school including writing the school history.
In 2001I started a Magazine by the name of Career Tips, and I was able to interview Dr. Mayanja, the article is: “Trainee Doctors in the Medical School lack facilities,” and, I wish to share excerpts from the article. Asked about his family background and where he studied, Dr Mayanja said, “Our family (Late Ddamulira along Entebbe Highway) is Catholic. I studied at St. Savio Junior School before joining St. Mary’s College Kisubi for O and A’ levels. I went to Makerere University Medical School where I graduated in 1976 with MBChB. I trained in United Kingdom in Pediatrics under self sponsorship and obtained a Diplomate in Child Health of Royal College Glasgow. I also hold a Diplomate in Tropical Child Health (DTCH) from Liverpool Tropical School – UK.”
Regarding his working experience Dr. Mayanja said, "I have been a Medical practitioner since 1976. I worked in nairobi - Kenya (1977/1978), in Zambia in 1978/79 and in United Kingdom from 1980 to 1990. During my stay in U.K, I practiced medicine in National Health Services, and then in Private Hospitals (Great Portland Hospitals and Humans Hospital - London). In 1990 I returned to Uganda and we formed a group medical practice which operates Victoria Medical Services originally at Spear House and now at Plot 52 Lumumba Avenue and also Gowas Street Entebbe.
I am also a part time Paediatrician at Kisubi Hospital. I have also been a part time lecturer at Makerere Medical School, Department od Paediatric and Child Health up to 1998. I am a former Chairman of Uganda Sickle Cell Association. I was Vice - President Uganda Paediatric Association from 1995 - 1997, and I am a member of Uganda Paediatric Association. I have been a member of the council for the Old Boys of St. Mary's College Kisubi (SMACK) caucus."
Asked about what prompted him to come back to Uganda, Dr. Mayanja said, East - West home is best. I returned after 13 years."
Dr. Mayanja told me that Medicine is a vacation one takes up when he has real interest in helping the people if one is to enjoy it. One must have an inner feeling for the people, in particular the poor."
When I interviewed the Late J. C Kiwanuka, J C was grateful to Old Boys of St. Mary's College Kisubi, more so , he was grateful to Dr. Mayanja who met his pay after he had been got off the payroll until he completed 50 years continuous teaching service at St. Mary's College Kisubi.
I wish to appeal to the Old Boys of St. Mary's College Kisubi to turn up in Huge numbers at Seguku - Nazziba village 6 miles Entebbe Highway to give a fitting send off to our fallen brother, a great SMACK pillar and a dedicated Medical Doctor. He deserves a hero's send off.
Dr. Mayanja, we shall greatly miss you, however, it is our hope that one day we shall meet, because in ll we do, death awaits.

With what a deep devotedness of woe
I wept thy absence - o'er and o'er again
Thinking of thee, still thee, till thought grew pain,
And memory, like a drop that, night and day,
Falls cold and ceaseless, wore my heart away! ~ Thomas Moore

And this is the will of him who sent me that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. ~ John 6:39-40
"God, give strength to the family members of Dr. George William Mayanja so that they can stand during this trying time of the loss of the Doctor."
"Doctor George William Mayanja Weraaba."

William Kituuka Kiwanuka
Fellow Lourdelian and friend.