It was with profound shock that on Tuesday 19th October 2021, I learnt of the passing of Hope Kivengere.
Madam Hope, as we fondly referred to her, is among the individuals that greatly shaped my engagement and entry into the world of statecraft.
I first met her in the early 2000s while she worked as the President’s Press Secretary. I have never met a diligent, focused and unassuming person like her. She always had a smile, regardless of how dire the circumstances were, and kept a cool head.
Later on when I got to closely work with her on a publication (The Pan Afrikanist magazine), I was a regular visitor to her office and was always awe struck at the way she went about her duties on phone, authoritatively responding to numerous inquiries about the President/ Presidency. She did this as fluently in French and Kiswahili as she did in English. She also had a sense of humour and was bemused about various issues, especially those that were ironic.
Without fear of contradiction, I can say that she was the best Presidential Press Secretary I have had the pleasure of working with. We remained in touch over the years when she worked at the EAC in Arusha and AU in Addis. We regularly kept in touch and made it a point to meet over tea to catch up on both local and international issues.
During her external tours of duty, she always made it a point to take leave of her duties prior to our elections to come home and do her bit in that regard. Inevitably, we always found our paths crossing during these endeavours and it was always a pleasure working with her because she was razor sharp and thought fast on her feet. Even when I went on sabbatical for a few years away from home, we still found time to intensely engage, especially around issues of National importance.
The other thing that stood out with Madam Hope, was her engagement with the youth. I cannot even count the numerous programs, initiatives, causes and endeavours we involved her in. From working with an association of wives and children of disabled UPDF, to youth causes of all types, to various publications and all manner of literary works the youth conjured up, she always gave time amidst her busy schedule, as many can surely testify.
When the situation dictated, she could be stern and assertive, while courteous at the same time, and in all the two decades I had the pleasure to work and engage with her, I only saw this side of her once. I am truly going to miss her, and without a doubt, so will many more who crossed her path. My condolences go out to her dear sisters and the rest of her family. Uganda has lost a truly committed patriot, a stickler to detail and consummate Pan Africanist.
Go well, Madam Hope, and may the Gods of the African Revolution receive you well as you rest in your eternal repose. Till we meet again. Aluta!
Stephen Othieno Jr
Pan Africanist