Rev Fr. Grimes passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. His legacy of nurturing talent, fostering intellect, and shaping character continue to resonate deeply with all who knew him.
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"Veni,
vidi, vici"—"I came, I saw, I conquered"—could well describe the
extraordinary journey of Rev. Fr Damian Grimes, a missionary who left an
indelible mark on Uganda. Over his 42 years of dedicated service, Fr. Grimes
not only brought transformative change but also touched countless lives with
his wisdom and compassion.
Rev
Fr. Grimes passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. His legacy of nurturing
talent, fostering intellect, and shaping character continue to resonate deeply
with all who knew him. The
Namasagali College Alumni Association announced his passing with the words,
“The lion has fallen.”
“His
roar was of kindness, his stride was of grace, He fought for each child, no
matter their place. In classrooms, and halls, his presence was felt, He taught
us with love, and he made our hearts melt. With rigor, with power, he forged us a
way, to find our paths, come what may,” the poetic tribute shared by the association
reads adding that despite his passing, the drumbeats have grown silent, but his
spirit remains alive in the hearts he has touched and the lives he has changed.
Tributes and memories of Fr. Grimes have been shared by
his former students across various social media platforms. They have praised
the priest’s commitment to comprehensive education and talent development,
noting that these contributions will remain a significant part of his legacy.
Fr. Grimes, a Roman Catholic
Mill Hill Missionary priest, arrived in Uganda in 1959, just four years before
the nation gained its independence. Over the next 42 years, he would not only
witness the early days of Uganda's independence and its subsequent struggles
but also play a pivotal role in the country's development in education, and
sports leaving a significant mark on its history.
Upon
arriving in Uganda, a teacher who had been ordained priest in 1955 at the age of 24
began his mission work in the country as a history teacher at Namilyango
College, the first school established by the Mill Hill Fathers in Uganda.
Later, he joined Kamuli College, now known as Namasagali College, where he
spent over three decades.
From
1969 to 2000, Fr. Grime was at the helm of Namasagali College, steering it to
great heights. During his tenure, he not only witnessed but actively shaped the
lives of hundreds of students, many of whom have since risen to prominent
positions of influence and status in Uganda.
In
addition to his work at Namasagali, Fr. Grime also taught part-time at Makerere
University and had a brief stint at Nkumba University, where he served as both
chaplain and lecturer after retiring from Namasagali.
At
a farewell dinner for Fr. Grimes, who was returning to the United Kingdom, the
then Education Minister, Edward Kiddu Makubuya (now deceased), praised the
Briton for embracing both reason and logic. He commended Fr. Grimes for
imparting these values to his students and for inspiring many Ugandans to
excel.
Additionally, he highlighted Fr. Grimes' dedication to championing
girls' education.
Fr.
Grimes is celebrated as a pivotal figure in the development of A-Level education
in Uganda, now known as the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
This upper secondary level is crucial for preparing students for higher
education. At the A-Level, students choose between arts and science subjects, a
decision that influences their future university or higher education program
options.
In
his book, Fr. Grimes reflects on his arrival in Uganda when only St. Mary's
College Kisubi- SMACK (established by the Catholic White Fathers, Missionaries
of Africa) had been cleared to establish an advanced-level section.
Not
to be left behind, Namilyango College also embarked on plans to establish
A-level education in response to their rival school- SMACK. Fr. Grimes was
entrusted by the then headteacher of Namilyango College to spearhead the establishment
of this advanced level.
“With my British educational background, I was able to make
arrangements to start A levels at Namilyango College. They began very small,
but within a couple of years they were flourishing and became a normal part of
the school’s academic structure,” he writes in his book; Uganda; My Mission.
Champion for holistic education
For
Fr. Grimes, education went beyond mere academics. He envisioned a holistic
approach where co-curricular activities were as vital as classroom instruction.
Under his guidance, students flourished not only in academics but also through
music, dance, drama, and various sports.
Ian
Kiyingi Muddu, writing for
The
African Theatre Magazine in an article on art at Namasagali,
highlighted how Fr. Grimes transformed the school into Uganda’s academic and
creative hub. He exemplified the essence of holistic education by nurturing the
head, the hand, and the heart— a notable departure from the “bookish pedagogies”
that were common in many other post-colonial secondary schools.
The priest’s embrace of modern
music, dance, and drama at Namasagali College initially faced scepticism from
many, including parents, who feared it might spoil the students. However, over
time, the transformative impact of these programs has proven otherwise,
revealing their significant and positive influence on the learners.
David
Peir wrote, “The school’s progressive educational program, with its focus on
creative exploration and ownership of the body, was framed within a neo-colonial
regimen of discipline and punishment that aimed to drill modern behaviour into
students,” in his article titled "Dance, Discipline, and the Liberal Self
at a Ugandan Catholic Boarding School," published in the December 2016
issue of African Studies Review by Cambridge University Press.
Under
his stewardship, he nurtured the talents of numerous artists, future radio DJs,
comedians, playwrights, and actors putting a print on the Ugandan arts sector.
His
passion for sports was profound; he didn't just love it but actively
participated and inspired his students. He took on roles in sports leadership
and played a key role in the development of various sports. For example, in the
1980s, Fr. Grimes founded the National Chess Competition, significantly
popularizing the game in schools across the country.
In
recognition of his significant contributions, the championship was later
renamed the Fr. Grimes Chess Championship.
This year’s edition was held at St. Mark’s College Namagoma (SMACON) in
Wakiso, Uganda. This esteemed event drew over 160 school teams from across the
country, with more than 1,000 participants from primary and secondary schools.
Fr. Grimes’ interests in sports
extended beyond chess; his passion for other sports including boxing was also
well-known. Former students visiting him often brought boxing gloves,
reminiscing about the sport.
During President Idi Amin’s
regime, Grimes served as chairman of the Uganda Amateur Boxing Association,
frequently meeting with the President, who also had a keen interest in the
sport. Under his guidance, Uganda shone in boxing and secured numerous medals.
In
2000, Fr. Grime returned to North Wales after 42 years of dedicated service in
Uganda. Yet, Uganda—a country he affectionately described as his mission in his
173-page book,
Uganda: My Mission—never
truly left him. Over the past 24 years, his former students have maintained
close contact, continually honouring him and celebrating significant milestones
together, including birthdays, year after year.
Last year, a group of Fr.
Grime's former students gathered to celebrate his 92nd birthday at
the hall of Holy Trinity Church in Formby, Liverpool.
this is the retirement home for Mill Hill Missionaries.
Writing for
Uganda Update, Lillian Nalumansi captured the moment, describing
how the elderly priest sat back with relaxed contentment as his former students
recounted his significant contributions. They praised him not only for shaping
their lives during their formative years but also for elevating the school to
prominence under his leadership.
In his acknowledgement, Fr. Grime
humbly attributed his achievements to God;
“I tried to do what I did
, to please God, and in as far you have found that helpful,
it is God you should think of and thank Him, not me. It was a pleasure for me
to have done this work,”he
said.