Solomon Kyabayinze Mpalanyi, one of Buganda’s foremost novelists and Luganda language experts is dead. According to family sources, Omutaka Mpalanyi died from a spike in his blood pressure which could not be controlled at the run down Mulago Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 8:00 PM on February 2, 2009. Mpalanyi has been part of the generation of exceptional Baganda literary masters who are credited for creating Buganda’s popular novel industry. The most famous of his books is Basajja Mivule, followed by Ndikumma Okulya (Nenkulyoowa Omwooyo). He also wrote Ssanyu Teribeerera, Nnaku Teba Y’omu and a few others.
The family sources add that Omutaka Mpalanyi’s health has been generally alright. And that the high blood pressure attack occurred when he was in his farm at Kabuwambo, Ssingo county. He has been teaching Luganda at Nkumba University and Lubiri High School in Kabaka’s Palace. He has also been an active member and former secretary of Ekibiina Ky’Olulimi Oluganda (Luganda Language Society).
Solomon Mpalanyi was born in Ssekanyonyi, Magala, Ssingo county. He attended Nnabagereka Primary School and Mityana Junior School before going to King’s College Buddo, Nagalabi, Busiro county. After Buddo, he joined Kyambogo Teachers’ Training College where he qualified as a high school teacher and soon joined the East African Community Printing Office. In 1968 Omutaka Mpalanyi joined London University for post-graduate studies in literary and publishing studies.
Sources in Washington DC have informed us by email that the Baganda Community in the USA capital and other cities have take the news very hard. Omutaka Mpalanyi was popular with friends of his son William Mpalanyi who lived in Washington DC for several years. And he was also remembered for his presence and brief but very impressive presence at Ttabamiruka ’07. The late Omutaka Solomon Mpalanyi is survived by number of children and grandchildren.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:12 am
It is such a crying shame that a great native Buganda literary scholar, indeed a unique Luganda novelist and a staunch Buganda nationalist passes on at this material time when the Buganda Nation should need his services the most. Gutusinze nyo ayi Ssabasajja Kabaka ffe Basajjabo n’abazaanabo okuva eno mu Scranton –Pennsylvania (U.S) olwokufa kw’omusajjawo Solomon Kyabayinze Mpalanyi! May his soul rest in eternal peace!
I now wish to suggest to the Great Buganda Lukiiko that the Buganda Nation should begin to publicly recognize all our heroes right from the time they are identified as Buganda nationalists for all their manner of works and/or selfless contributions they make towards the advancement of the Buganda Nation and throughout the time these Buganda heroes and heroines pass on to the Great Beyond. Solom Mpalanyi ‘s embalmed body and casket should, for example, have been brought for public viewing during a special Buganda Lukiiko sitting in Bulange where upon eulogies of his life and works he has selflessly committed to the cause of the Great Buganda Nation throughout his life would have been read and/or recited. I could be advised otherwise if I am wrong. But it is through things such as public recognition of our Buganda heroes and heroines that the roots for the love of our Buganda Nation and our Kabaka would be cemented further.
I also humbly suggest that His Majesty the Kabaka could start bestowing special Buganda Nation titles – in a similar manner the English Royalty does to its distinguished men and women of great service to the British Royalty and England – upon all the living and dead Buganda heroes and heroines subsequent of which their names and heroic actions be taught to all Buganda children and their grand children. A wall of fame in Bulange for all Buganda heroes and heroines, dead and living, would also not be a bad idea in my most humble opinion Mukama wange ayi Ssabasajja!
Gutusinze nyo ayi Ssabasajja Kabaka!
Nze Musajjawo Busagwa Ali
Scranton-Pennsylvannia (U.S.A)
February 5th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Busagwa,
Above and beyond my unflinching patriotism for our motherland Buganda and the Kabaka of Buganda, the more reason I keep on visiting the Buganda Post is people like you Busagwa. Your postings are great and usually with significant contributions. Today, I have really been mentally ‘scratched’ over your suggestions to the Buganda Lukiiko. I hope Owek. John Baptist Walusimbi will pick up these insightful ideas and put them forward to his colleagues in the Lukiiko for further discussion and consideration. Otherwise it is a big loss that Buganda yet suffers within a span of just a couple of days since Jaaja Gabunga Yosiya Kasozi also eternally departed to the other side. May both their souls rest in eternal bliss!
February 7th, 2009 at 3:47 am
I greatly appreciate your commendations, Nankindu. However, I am pretty much doubtful of whether Eng. Walusimbi, the current Katikiro, would be brave enough to bring up this kind of suggestion to the floor of the Great Buganda Kingdom Lukiiko. You and I certainly know at whose tree the gentleman is barking, huh?? Hopefully, the Kabaka will be able to read this and somehow bring it to the attention of those individuals at Bulange – Mengo who are supposed to take a decision on it. Obviously, we need to begin an enduring legacy of recognizing and immortalizing the actions of bravity and general patriotrism by all Baganda men and women, dead and living, – by the way including non-Baganda but who have committed their lives in the service of the Great Buganda Nation ala Sir Daudi Ochieng – that have been and/or are being committed to the service and/or advancement of the ideals of our great BUGANDA nation.
Wangaala nyo ayi Baffe Ssabasajja Kabaka!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:19 am
I entirely agree with Busagwa Ali. And I think the implementation of his proposal by the powers that be at the admnistrative-royal seat of Bulange/Mengo is long over due!
Long live His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II!