Celebrated NTV news anchor, Frank Walusimbi has shared the emotional story of his birth in a touching post to mark his birthday on social media. He posted:
“Saturday, 29th Aug 1981 was a cool day. A reflection from snow on top of the giant mountain Rwenzori shone. It was brighter that day. The peaceful Rwenzori towers over everything else, the town, the suburbs, the tallest trees I grew seeing – everything.
Rukooki in Kasese was never a busy suburb. Folks went about their work. Handy men did their small jobs and were happy. Congolese hawkers walked for a bigger part of their day selling and buying anything, clothes, bottles, batteries – before they could rest in Nyakasanga bars. Late in the evening, they would leave the bars stupid drunk. Many times, a quarrel amongst them would erupt – a quarrel about an unsettled debt, stolen money, and sometimes, the men would quarrel and fight over a woman, usually a bar attendant. No one cared about their brawls.
The bars were for long a meeting point of men and women from all classes – civil servants, the hawkers, handy men, farmers, teachers, everybody!
In the morning of that Saturday, there were barely cars going to Kasese town or leaving for Fortportal. Hangover was a ritual. Most people had some money on them to spend on useless liquids that sent them to a stupor and endless headaches. Mum had no car. Dad had a motorcycle but it must have had a mechanical problem. Mum was showing signs that I was about to to meet earth, luckily, a kind neighbour offered to drive her all the way to Kilembe hospital, some six kilometers away from home. She would stay there until 11:30p.m when I finally arrived. Dad and mum’s sister came to hospital. As it was then, hospitals had almost everything – including attendants. Mum would be taken care of by hospital attendants that night until the following day, Sunday, when she was seen off at 2p.m. A nurse wrote a small chit to show my date and time of birth – my birth certificate! God has been great. Mum is still alive. Dad too. They tell me stories like that special day was yesterday.
I thank you all for the birthday messages – the love you show me is overwhelming! Messages are still coming. The young generation that takes me for an exemplary journalist, I thank you. The audience that follows me, from the day I became a television journalist. I have seen some posting my pictures from December 2006 when I first appeared on tv. How lovely. The memories are sweet. Growing is such a huge blessing. Be blessed!”
Staff Writer
