Namasagali College's Legendary Headteacher Fr. Grimes Dies

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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.