Giant Killer: A Tribute to Samuel Agaba

Hope when you take that jump
You don’t fear the fall. Hope that you spend your days
But they all add up. Hope when the moment comes you’ll say. I, I did it all
I owned every second that this world could give
I saw so many places
The things that I did
Yeah, with every broken bone
I swear I lived

One Republic – I Lived

Samuel Agaba. Photo Courtesy: Biggie

When did you last lose someone that meant a lot to you? There is an emptiness and deep sadness that follows. I lost my father at the age of ten. It was hard to come to terms with it, especially the deafening silence that trailed at the gate in the years that followed. I’d never hear his car honking, at the gate again.  Over the last three years, my last surviving grandparent passed away. It was unusual. My grandmother used to seat on the front verandah with her battery powered radio. She listened to outspoken Pentecostal pastors preaching in Luganda. There, she hung onto every prophecy of good health that she heard. Her body was ailing, but her habitual practice of saying ‘amen’ wasn’t. I had to learn to see past the bareness of the verandah and the quiet that followed when she passed on. Having seen her routine almost all my life, I learnt to accept her absence and the idea suggested to me that she was in a better place. We all have our own ways of handling the death of our loved ones.

All these experiences have forced me to think about life from a different perspective. What does it truly mean to be alive? Can death ever be timely? Herbert Fingarette asked, ‘What is the point of it all?’ There are no widely accepted answers to what happens when we die. The ambiguity surrounding death has led many to succumb to manipulation. I often wonder whether my consciousness of this world will remain! Will I remember my loved ones and all the things they strived to achieve? Or, will I wander into a vacuum of nothingness, forlorn and searching for answers?

Of course, my birth religion tells me of the promise of eternal life that awaits, but, religion (in all its varied forms) has different perceptions on what happens when we die.  Logic and science have even led us to greater speculation about this ‘unknown’. Honestly, sometimes I find it hard to accept the idea of existence after death and engaging with these thoughts leaves me with a lot of unresolved questions. To be no more in this plain. Is there an end  or is it a new beginning that is infinite?  Samuel Agaba was my close friend and prayer partner. He was full of life in every fabric of his being. The literal life of the party. Being around him was a joyous ride.

On 7th April 2021 as I was retreating from a tedious day at work,  I boarded a  boda boda (motorcycle) to beat usual Kampala traffic. In the midst of a busy intersection, I felt my phone vibrating incessantly. It was a call from a mutual friend who told me that Sam had passed on. In that moment, I did not know what to feel. The world seemed to pause, the noise from the hooting cars seemed to fade until the only thing I could hear in the deafening assumed silence was my racing heart. I was snapped out of my trance by the motorcycle rider.

On my way home after the call, my mind kept wandering back to the last time I had seen Sam. A few weeks back he came home to sign documents. We arrived at our gate, after a depressing two and half hours’ drive through Kampala traffic. It was dark and the moonlight was dim. Someone was standing at the gate. My mother was paranoid about driving at night. She always thought that thieves lay somewhere, waiting to target hardworking Ugandans as they returned home at their gates. Sam was standing near the gate leaning on his car. ‘I hope I didn’t scare you. I am not a thief waiting to beat you up.’ He said with a loud laughter that was met with the same reception. We opened the gate and went into the house. As I opened the paper forms and book marked where Sam would sign, we caught up. He told me about his post graduate research and start up company, Licious Foods Limited whose regulatory forms we were filling in.  He was enthused, Sam had just completed his book, ‘The Tempest’ and was planning for a number of things. Hearing that Sam had passed provoked a weight of sadness, mostly reminding me of the temporariness of life. We make plans for a future that is not known to us.

In the first year of our friendship, we were part of a church youth group. One Sunday we danced in front of our local church. I was far from a gifted dancer, I was as stiff as pale dry cassava, but in church, all of us were part of the body of Christ. Church offers a lot of refuge even for us poor dancers. I guess, this, alongside the encouragement we received when we took part in church activities, kept me coming back.

We used to attend weekly bible study sessions and dance practices together. On one of our journeys, we were flagged by a police officer as we drove. We were heading to a secondary school to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the speed at which we drove was anything but, Christian. If Sam was driving then, you really had to brace yourself. He stepped on that gas like a race car driver. On that occasion, the traffic officer who flagged us kept on rumbling for over four minutes. He said that his family had no ‘sugar’ for breakfast yet we continued to break the law. We knew that he was asking us for a bribe. I looked at Sam and we laughed at each other.  The Police Officer continued to tell us about his family and wife.  Although we were in the wrong, we were not going to give him a single shilling.

Tuwe ekipapula, Ssebo.’ (give us the speeding ticket, sir) Sam responded. At that time, we were jobless and living on meagre allowances from our parents as we awaited admissions to University. Even in that state, we insisted that he gave us the ticket. He reluctantly booked us.  Our stand, defeated all logic but we were very pleased with our resolve. After we had received the ticket, we headed to the school to preach the Gospel.  We scraped our pockets to clear off the speeding ticket, for the next two months. We did not mention this to our parents.  That was Sam. He was steadfast in his Christian values. He always insisted on doing what was right, inquiring of the Lord and putting Him first.

We joined different universities, 25 kilometers apart. It was much more difficult for us to meet up. I was a bad prayer partner, Sam often joked. Probably because we barely saw each other during the term. He often teased that joining law school had changed me. I hope that he meant that it had changed me for the better.  When we met, we spoke and caught up on what was going on. Our conversations had no limits.  We spoke about school, our aspirations and disappointments. We spoke about our crushes that had  thought us unworthy of their time. On some occasions, we gossiped, about our mutual friends.

‘Joel, you need to come to Makerere and support my campaigns.’ He told me over the phone. My father was a politician, but I was never keen to participate in elections.  A lot was promised yet less was delivered.  Despite my misgivings, I went to Makerere University that weekend. We hung Sam’s posters from one lecture room to another. He was convinced that he could use his position to do good and make things better. Sam always looked for a way to help and make others feel better. I miss that about him. He was relentless, if he wanted something, he went and got it.

As our campus time came to an end, I received an email from the Dean of the Faculty of Law.  The email informed me of a ceremony I was required to attend where I would receive some academic awards from the Vice Chancellor.  I was excited. My journey at law school was an unexpected journey.  I forwarded portions of the email to Sam. Minutes later, my phone began vibrating in my pocket. Sam was calling.

‘Whaaaat!’  He said, shortly before he started screaming.  He was so happy (I could tell from the tone of his voice). I wondered whether he was the recipient of the award. I had to attend the commissioning (awards) ceremony which occurred on the eve of graduation. Without inquiring about the number of guests allowed, he said, ‘I am coming to Mukono.’

True to his word, we drove all the way to Mukono. ‘I have to be there, to bare testimony,’ he said. For context, Sam had just battled a potentially life ending medical condition that had kept him in hospital for a long time.  He probably had other important things to be thankful about, especially being alive. But he was in the car, driving to Mukono. All he was saying, ‘Congratulations Joel! These are answered prayers.’ I am in awe of the kind of person that Sam was. He wished me well and would go to the ends of the world, to be there for me.

At the Commissioning Ceremony, Mukono, Uganda.

‘You see, real friends are those that will see potential in you and will selflessly give of themselves to help you grow your value even when they will not actually benefit. It’s from those people that you actually make raw organic friendships that will stand the test of time.’ Sam wrote in one of his blogs last year.

They’d been a lot of visits to the hospital in Sam’s life but he never gave the impression that he was unwell. Over the years he had different names, ‘Giant Killer’ like David from the Bible. The phrase was popularized by Pompi, a Zambian Artist whose song (Giant Killer) had sent shockwaves throughout the Pentecostal churches in Uganda. Most recently we referred to Sam as ‘Audacious Sam’. He signed off on most of what he wrote as, ‘Audacity, Resilience, Determination.’ He was the personification of each of those nouns.

Excitement always. Photo Courtesy: Biggie

I visited Sam at the hospital. I remember one time, we sat at the Cafeteria. His father had seen to it that they’d served him his favorite, bacon. He held my shoulder and told me that he was in so much pain, that the morphine was not helping. But just as he opened up, he said, ‘Joel, pray for me.’  Sometimes he was scared too. His brother had passed away last year with a similar condition. In November last year, I sat beside Sam in the patient room. We had a long chat about the aching he felt.  However consuming the agony was, he had hope. He kept on saying, ‘pray for me’. That is who he was, he pushed through every wall that was ahead of him as any Giant Killer, he was fearless in the face of fear.

I recall as we were leaving, he asked us, to stay. I understood how he felt. His room was hollow with blurred light.  The beeping of the health monitors, honestly reminded me of how fickle our lives were. I can only imagine how he felt in that room, which he’d sometimes occupy for weeks.  That November, he recovered. Unphased, Sam got back up and continued his master’s degree research. His life was a testimony. He was a musician (worshipper) and enjoyed spending time with friends at church premises.  When Sam entered a room, he was radiant. He laughed so loudly, people always turned their heads to look at him. He was hopeful, optimistic and joyful, yet he remained brutally honest. He called a spade, a spade.

Even when I returned from the United Kingdom last year, Sam together with a longtime friend, Esther, were the first people to come and see me. I had barely arrived or even spent four hours at home. I was told, that my friends were waiting to see me. It was dark. I still don’t know why they came that night. I certainly wasn’t leaving the following morning. But that’s who Sam was. He came in shouting at the top of his voice as he always did. Very cheeky, surprising and full of excitement. He made jokes about how my accent had somehow strayed from  its original form. He was the chief convener of events. He always insisted and planned our reunions from the   church youth group.

Sam holding his published book, 'The Tempest.' Photo Courtesy: Biggie

Now. I struggle to comprehend his absence physically. Sam’s life was well lived, he had a supportive community of family and friends. I think about life.  There is difficulty in acceptance of the reality that death creates. That a friend, a partner, a father, a mother are no longer with us and somehow you have to go on until you too, are called upon . The experiences shared together; at church, at our homes; are still very real to me, even though I cannot see him, physically. They are part of me. Sometimes, I do not want to think about the impermanence of my own life. Is it our mortality that drives us to have the meaning and purpose by which we measure our life? In Christianity, the death of Christ as recently celebrated, symbolizes death to sin and his resurrection (we are told), symbolizes victory over death for us, all. However, when my father, grandmother died and most recently Sam, it has been difficult to see their parting as a victory. I always go back to the Steve Job’s Stanford commencement where he echoes thoughts I am always afraid to speak out.

‘Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, living only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.’

C.S. Lewis writes that man’s search for satisfaction in pleasure, beauty and personal relationships (finite objects and finite persons) is incapable of fulfilling or satisfying him (read them).  He argues that, ‘This sense of longing points to its origin and its fulfilment in God himself.’ ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God’ (Psalm 42:1).’ Sam believed in Jesus Christ, more than anyone (or thing) and, I find comfort in the idea that he has met his Maker.

Whatever our beliefs, death should remind us to live purpose driven lives. Sam’s memories linger in my mind, they are further amplified whenever I see our Whatsapp chat threads and the pictures in my phone photo gallery.  Yet somehow, I have to live with this reality. The hardest part about grieving is acceptance.  There is an inevitability of leaving places, losing loved ones. This should remind us to make our moments alive, count.

With love and remembrance.

Sam’s friend.

Joel

50 Comments
  • Martha Nante
    Posted at 16:36h, 24 April Reply

    Why did I read this? – but I couldn’t bring myself to stop halfway. I wanted to know Sam from your words. What an amazing young man! Well knowing how this relates with me, I wish I didn’t read it because now I am a wreck! ?

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 16:52h, 24 April Reply

      Martha, I understand that this topic is difficult and I am sorry to hear that this has had such an effect on you. It was difficult for me to write down. Nevertheless thank you for taking the time to read and for sharing you candid thoughts about relating to it.

  • Innocent Mbaguta
    Posted at 16:46h, 24 April Reply

    What an amazing tribute to Sam and theTemporariness of life!

    May the sweet soul of Sam rest in peace!

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 16:54h, 24 April Reply

      Thanks, Innocent for these kind words. Yes, life can seem temporary.

      Thanks for the condolence message.

  • Makawa Joseph Gilbert
    Posted at 16:50h, 24 April Reply

    “Whatever our beliefs, death should remind us to live purpose drive life.”

    Nice Tribute Joel.

    May Sam’s soul RIP!

    May God strengthen the entire bereaved family ?!.

  • Melanie
    Posted at 16:56h, 24 April Reply

    Such a good read. Sorry about your friend.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 17:18h, 24 April Reply

      Thnaks, sis.

  • Malaika Tabby
    Posted at 17:06h, 24 April Reply

    This has made me cry, but I’ll keep saying “It is well” until those words make sense to my soul.
    Emotions aside, thanks for taking time to summarize your years spent with Sam. It is a well thought tribute.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:08h, 24 April Reply

      Thank you for taking the time to read, Tabitha. It is indeed well. Thanks for these very kind words.

      • Joan Birungi
        Posted at 15:42h, 25 April Reply

        It is so funny how we may not know what will happen in the next minute of our lives. But it is well. Rest in peace Sam. A life well lived. Joel this sentimental tribute is truly amazing. In God we live and move and have our being.

        • Joel Basoga
          Posted at 18:02h, 25 April Reply

          Thanks, Joan for these kind words. Indeed, a life well lived. Amen.

  • Aruho J
    Posted at 18:23h, 24 April Reply

    What a tribute. It is as though i knew him well, yet i never met him.
    “A lifetime is not too long to live as friends. “

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:08h, 24 April Reply

      Thank you, Joshua for these kind comments. I appreciate.

  • Theophilus Negule
    Posted at 19:04h, 24 April Reply

    A pillar in this Generation …May God comfort you and his family during this time with his Comfort..

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:09h, 24 April Reply

      Thanks, Theophilus. Amen.

  • Christine Kirabo
    Posted at 19:15h, 24 April Reply

    I met Sam through a mutual friend that later passed in December 2019! He was so full of life? the noise of the hospital monitors is literally the most fond thing? I feel every word, teary literally! To see your friend grey, lifeless and nothing like them is almost incomprehensible. Death is painful that much I know, I pray God won’t allow you slide into excessive grief! So sorry for your loss Joel. Rest well Sam?

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:11h, 24 April Reply

      Thank you Christine for taking the time to read this tribute. I am pleased to hear that you met him. I agree, he was full of life. It is incomprehensible but we find comfort in the fact that he is probably in a less painful place. Thank you for your condolences, Christine.

  • Jackie Balungi
    Posted at 20:17h, 24 April Reply

    I don’t remember when I met Sam. I knew him as the bubbly guy who always lit up the room. He loved to write. I recall him in Lit class senior four. The lit teacher read an excerpt of his essay, oba was it for Weep Not Child, or Mine Boy, I don’t recall. Memories get so hazy you feel like you’re lying when you recount them. Recently I recalled that he auditioned for MACOS Idol and sang Beyonces Broken Hearted Girl in A level. Again it feels like a false memory. Death cheats us like this. We wonder if the patchwork of memories we have is real. He always spoke louder than anyone else in the room. Always ten paces away from the pain he was in. He made suffering look glamarous. I first heard of Matooke flour from him during his FN practicals in senior four. He made light of all his hardships with the food flasks he carried because he had to watch what he ate. I feel like a fraud collecting all these snatches of Sam when he lived three decades. How can I recall so little of a life so fully lived? Thank you for this, Joel. May his light continue into the Forever After.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 23:41h, 24 April Reply

      Thanks Jackie for sharing these memories of Sam’s life. Indeed, Sam lit up the room and is one of the most expressive persons I have ever met. I am not surprised to hear that he sang one of Beyoncé’s songs at an audition. That’s typical of Sam.

      I agree, memories are Hazy, it was equally difficult for me to write this tribute. As you have mentioned, Sam made suffering look glamorous, never giving the impression that he was in pain. Thanks for sharing snatches of your life with him. He had a great time at Makerere College and always kept referring back to your class and the other students at college.

      May his light, indeed shine forever. Thank you for these kind words, Jackie, and for the condolences.

  • Benjie
    Posted at 20:56h, 24 April Reply

    Sorry for your loss

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:58h, 24 April Reply

      Thank you, Benjamin.

    • Victoria Nannozi
      Posted at 20:18h, 26 April Reply

      Painful

      • Joel Basoga
        Posted at 20:23h, 26 April Reply

        I understand.

  • Precious
    Posted at 20:57h, 24 April Reply

    Wow this was enlightening in so many ways.. Truly beautiful read
    May Sam’s soul continue resting in peace ??

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 20:59h, 24 April Reply

      Thank you, Precious.

  • Genevive
    Posted at 23:11h, 24 April Reply

    I tapped the link, I wanted to listen to my Papa Joel speak as I read his words, instead I got to meet Sam, oh Lord, Indeed, confidence can only be anchored in the fact that he is home, with his maker.
    What a raw piece of art! What an Expression of a heart that was present in the love Given??

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 23:45h, 24 April Reply

      Thanks, Genevive. I am glad you have been able to meet Sam through this blog post. Yes, he is home, with his Maker. Thanks for the kind words.

      Sam wrote a blog. It is accessible here . You may check it out.

      Thanks for taking the time to read this tribute.

  • Helga
    Posted at 06:11h, 25 April Reply

    This is a beautiful tribute to Sam. I can’t even imagine how much pain he must have been through. That he did all these things is amazing. He definitely left a footprint in this world, he lived! Thanks Joel for sharing Sam’s story. You had a deep friendship with him and we definitely feel the void his absence created.. I hope you remember that Sam will always be with you, cheering you on, praying for you!

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 09:37h, 25 April Reply

      Thank you, Helga for these kind words. Yes, he left a footprint on most of those he interacted with. He was a loyal friend and his absence is real. Thanks for taking the time to read and for this reassurance, Helga.

  • Chorima
    Posted at 07:44h, 25 April Reply

    Dear Joel,
    This is an emotional piece. My face crumpled and tears welled up. I can relate to Sam’s purpose-driven life.
    And for us still living, it is a reminder that we must invest in every second.
    Farewell to our friend and fallen hero, Sam!

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 09:39h, 25 April Reply

      Daniel, I am glad that you could relate to this experience. I agree, we must invest in every second. Farewell to our friend! Thanks for taking the time to read and sharing your thoughts.

  • Kitimbo Shaban
    Posted at 15:09h, 25 April Reply

    Joel thanks for sharing Sam’s legacy of lighting up more candles while he was still a live, It a great lesson to us who are still alive. May his soul rest in peace!!!
    I am soo touched by the phrase “Church offers refugee, even to you poor dancers ” I am met to believe that it’s the same exact place where one could find another Sam, so I encourage to keep going to church, probably you might be bless with another Sam.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 18:01h, 25 April Reply

      Thanks Shaban for these kind words. Yes, his life is a great lesson. I am glad that you were touched by the message here. Thank you, Shaban. Amen.

  • Esther Akullu
    Posted at 16:31h, 25 April Reply

    An amazing piece. I can hear Sam’s voice through the narration. A true picture of Sam. I love the humor you put in there because Sam was such a jolly person, always making fun, always making us laugh, he had presence and made lots of noise while at it too!(I liked the noise and I only amplified some more). I notice you spoke about his driving..Sam really hit the wheels..his driving my oh my…
    Sam and his Jesus; he had faith like no other…more like faith for all of us…he lived a purpose driven life…followed the words of his Father.
    Of course we still wanted him here with us but the Lord said it was time and we bless him for the awesome years. Thank you papa for honoring him with this tribute.
    Sam…up in heaven….watching us right now…I literally be there and I am like kale now Sam is seeing all I do…Enjoy singing with the angels…till we link up sometime..you gave us a challenge, we shall account when we meet again. In the meantime we shall ensure you smile at us all the way coz we taking this world by storm!!!

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 18:43h, 25 April Reply

      Thanks, Esther, for these kind words. I am glad that this reminded you of Sam’s voice.

      Haha! A combination of you too, was always something to watch, but not great for the eardrums!

      I agree, he was an odd driver who nevertheless lived and followed the words of his Father. He is in a better place.

      I’d have preferred he were around(like you), but as you have said, we are grateful for the years we had together.

      We will try and smile as we take on this world.

      Thanks, Esther for taking the time to read and for being a pillar and rock in Sam’s life.

  • Monica Namanya
    Posted at 18:24h, 25 April Reply

    Such a touching tribute, Joel. Many of us have just met Sam through this well written piece.

    May Sam’s soul Rest In Peace!

    “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! – Psalm 90:12 MSG – Just like Sam did.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 18:45h, 25 April Reply

      Thanks Monica. I am glad that you have, at least met him through this piece. Thank you for taking the time to read and for sharing the Biblical wisdom.

  • Brenda Namulindwa
    Posted at 10:49h, 26 April Reply

    Thanks Joel for sharing this, it’s really hard to believe at most times

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 19:07h, 26 April Reply

      Thanks, Brenda. Yes, it can be hard to believe.

  • Buyinza Tomathy
    Posted at 11:02h, 26 April Reply

    Joel, this is such a touching tribute. reminds me of the time i had to cop up with life after my dad passed on. Every moment you ever spent with them start to feel like it’s on a loop in your head and it gets hard to believe that what was is no longer, a 1 instantaneously turns to a 0. But still, it’s the making of the universe that we can never fully understand.

    Thank you for sharing.

    Wherever Sam(RIP) is, am positive he is proud to have a friend like you.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 19:11h, 26 April Reply

      Thanks, Tomathy for these kind words. I am happy to hear that you could relate to this- memories can sometimes begin to feel like loops. I understand what the loss of a parent can mean. You are welcome, and thanks for taking the time to read and for sharing your thoughts.

  • Biggie
    Posted at 21:18h, 26 April Reply

    Ahhhhh…(Sigh volume)

    Comfort, o ye Joel. Comfort to thee.

    We see in part, but we will in full, soon!

    ?

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 21:37h, 26 April Reply

      Thanks, Biggie. We see in part, we will see in full soon. Thanks.

      • Michael Uzor
        Posted at 23:09h, 27 April Reply

        Such a touching tribute Joel. I have never met Sam, but just reading your tribute to him I can tell he is the kind of person anyone would want to have as a friend. I pray he rests in peace and that the God of all comfort, comfort you and his family during this tough time.

        Blessings

        • Joel Basoga
          Posted at 00:14h, 01 May Reply

          Thanks Michael for these kind words and condolences. Yes, he was a great friend. Amen.

  • Adrian
    Posted at 22:56h, 26 April Reply

    Sam was more than a friend to many of us. He surely did more in our lives even with limited time. He knew well enough to come through for anyone.
    That’s why to many of us, he is still a part of us even in his absence.

    Thank you Joel

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 19:30h, 27 April Reply

      Thanks, Adrian. He was more than a friend and always came through.

      You are welcome. Thanks for taking the time to read and for sharing about Sam.

  • Wanyenze Gloria
    Posted at 07:22h, 01 May Reply

    It is said that the gift of an honorable, well lived life is in those who will miss you when you’re gone. Sam’s well lived life gives so much inspiration to me the hope he beheld at all times. This is a beautiful piece, your vivid description of him makes me feel like l know him.
    May his soul rest in eternal peace.

    • Joel Basoga
      Posted at 22:15h, 01 May Reply

      Thanks, Gloria for these kind words and condolences. May his soul rest in peace. I am glad that the narrative introduced you to who he was. Thanks for taking the time to read.

  • Pingback:Joel Basoga | A Place Beyond
    Posted at 18:06h, 10 September Reply

    […] the year. I had two COVID-19 scares. I lost one of my closest friends (Sam) [read his tribute here].   I was numbed and stained. Recently, Facebook shared a memory from eight years ago when I took […]

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