Footprints Podcast | Season 1 | Episode 23 | Pasture to Past Perfect
From his upbringing in the idyllic countryside to his hilarious recollections and notable moments as a trailblazer of African Literature; this installment of the Footprints Podcast features Professor Timothy Wangusa. He shares his journey of self-discovery, passion for the arts, leadership, and most importantly, the magic of the three words that sparked the riveting trajectory of his life.
Born in 1942, in colonial Uganda, Timothy recalls the beautiful mountainous scenery of his home area, Mbale. He fondly narrates native folklore of his region like the legend from which the name Masaba’s Mountain is ascribed to Mountain Elgon; a medley of stories, not to mention intriguing accounts from the Bible and tales from school, that fostered his love for literature.
Out in the fields, looking after cattle, was his equivalent of kindergarten. Timothy later began his formal education at Primary One in Manafwa district, at a missionary school under the Anglican Church. It was at the compulsory weekly orations that he learned about John the Apostle; ‘a man who would preach a sermon of three words: Baana bange mwagalanenga’ which means we should love one another. His intrigue was only the beginning of his fascination with words.
From primary school, three years in junior school, four years in Nabumali High School for his O Level to King’s College Budo where he studied his A Level, Timothy was a bibliophile. He studied literature; stating that the book, Cry the Beloved Country, was a personal favorite. He wrote his very first poem as an undergraduate at Makerere University where he studied English. It was on the door at his residence at the University of Leeds, where he pursued his Master’s Degree in English, that he found the parody, The State is my Shepherd.’ This parody was the inspiration to write his renowned poem, Psalms 23, Part II.
Timothy’s passion for words culminated in a multitude of thought-provoking works throughout his career such as Salutations: Poems, his novel Upon This Mountain, A Pattern of Dust: Selected Poems, Anthem for Africa, Africa's New Brood, and A taxi driver on his death. Notably, his pieces embodied folklore, maxims with Christian connotations, but also his standpoints on Uganda’s political affairs.
Working as a teaching assistant in 1669 at the Department of Literature at Makerere University upon his return to Uganda, was the start of Professor Timothy’s career in academia for more than three decades. He states that it was ‘an absolute pleasure’ to be a teacher; for which he had a longstanding predilection; inspired by his exemplary teachers back in the day. Professor Timothy served as the Head of the Department of Literature and Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Makerere University. He was also a Minister of Education in the Ugandan Government between 1985 and 86 and a Member of Parliament from 1989 to 96. He was the Vice Chancellor of Ugandan Christian University from 2003 to 2017.
Professor Timothy shared memorable moments in his career that made him proud: such as the standing ovation he received from his students after a lecture on form, the recognition of his poem, Psalms 23, Part II as an East African Classic, and the president, His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, reading it during his speech as Chancellor to officiate the graduation ceremony at Makerere University.
He states that he faced his major transition on his terms; leaving his position at Makerere University at the age of 60 not 75, to serve as a Vice Chancellor and educational expert in other organizations that allowed him to grow. Adjusting to the times, he resorted to online lessons during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Having planned for the final quarters of his journey; such as securing residence in areas like Mukono and certainly, his home area, Manafwa, he continues to write poetry and occasional articles even in his retirement. He states that he has kept himself ‘intellectually active’. He is currently writing his third novel.
Professor Timothy’s journey serves as a reminder to us all, that our true passions may present themselves in the simplest of ways: through seemingly trivial tales or three words, regardless, we must pursue them with confidence. Where there is passion, there is purposefulness. He also gives a unique perspective to managing transitions and preparedness for change: initiating said transitions and steering the circumstances into opportunities for more growth and activity even after ‘retirement.’ His final words of advice to leaders, young and old, is to have an overall optimistic life outlook despite its inevitable changes and find purpose to make the best of it.
©Blurb written by Divine Karungi