The Quiet Steward: The Life of Israel Sekilikimbe

In the heart of Buganda, where the hills roll like gentle waves and the earth is rich with memory, lived a man whose life was a testament to quiet dignity and unwavering service. Israel Sekilikimbe, born in 1933, was not a man whose name echoed in headlines or political decrees. Instead, his legacy is etched in the fertile soils he tended, the steadfast service he rendered, and the strong family he nurtured—a legacy woven into the very fabric of his community.

He came of age in a world of change, a Uganda transitioning under the shadow of colonialism and the enduring strength of the Buganda Kingdom. From his earliest days, Israel understood the sacred dialogue between man and land. This understanding would become the cornerstone of his life. He was, by profession and by calling, an agriculturalist. His hands, broad and capable, could read the soil like a scholar reads a text. He knew when to plant the matooke, how to nurture the coffee shrubs, and the secret to making the vegetables flourish. To him, farming was not mere labour; it was a act of stewardship, a way of sustaining life and community.

This profound skill and reputation for reliability led him to the gates of the Mengo Palace, the seat of the Kabaka of Buganda. Here, amidst the pageantry and tradition, Israel found his niche as a quiet pillar of the palace’s daily life. He was not a courtier in flowing robes, but rather the man who ensured the palace grounds were a testament to abundance and order. It is likely that the very gardens and food supplies that sustained the royal household bore the invisible imprint of his care. He served with a loyalty that was personal and profound, understanding that serving the Kingdom often meant tending to its most fundamental needs.

Israel was, in the truest sense, a jack of all trades who didn’t despise work. This old adage fit him perfectly. If a fence needed mending, he was there with his tools. If a piece of furniture needed repair, his keen mind would find a solution. If a community project required a strong back and a willing spirit, Israel Sekilikimbe would be among the first to arrive. He carried no airs and embraced no hierarchy of tasks. Honest work was honest work, and all of it contributed to the whole. This versatility wasn’t born of necessity alone, but of a proactive intellect and a profound belief that a capable man should be useful.

His Children

At the centre of his simple, purposeful life was his family. In his children, he planted his greatest hopes. His son, Sam Kasirivu, carried the name forward, learning from his father the values of diligence and quiet strength. And then came double blessings—the twins. In the beautiful Buganda tradition of twin names, he welcomed Nakato Deborah Nvumirwa and Babirye Victoria Nkabidwa. Their names, a melodic and meaningful pair, spoke of cultural pride and paternal joy. Nakato, the second-born twin girl, and Babirye, the first-born twin girl, brought a unique rhythm and laughter to his household. To them, he was not just the palace worker or the farmer; he was the provider, the teacher, the rock upon which their world was built. He taught them, likely not with grand lectures, but through the silent sermon of his actions: the value of a day’s work, the importance of integrity, and the deep-rooted connection to one’s heritage.

Israel Sekilikimbe’s life was a masterclass in contented simplicity. He found richness not in material accumulation, but in the fertility of his gardens, the respect of his peers, and the success of his children. He moved between the revered space of the Mengo Palace and the humble intimacy of his home with the same unassuming grace.

He passed on, as all great stewards eventually do, leaving behind a landscape forever altered by his care. His biography is not written in books, but in the enduring life of his son, Sam Kasirivu, and in the cherished memories of his beloved twins, Nakato Deborah Nvumirwa and Babirye Victoria Nkabidwa.

It is written in the agricultural knowledge he shared and in the memory of a man who, through sheer integrity and tireless work, helped both a palace and a family to thrive. It is written in the enduring agricultural knowledge he shared and in the memory of a man who, through sheer integrity and tireless work, helped both a palace and a family to thrive.

His was a life that proved that true nobility is not always found in titles, but often in the calloused hands of a planter, the dedicated service of a steward, and the loving heart of a father. Israel Sekilikimbe, son of Katikiro Nsibirwa, a son of the soil and servant of his kingdom, lived a life deeply rooted, and from that root, a mighty family tree continues to grow.