By Bill Dan Arnold Borodi
News of the sudden passing of Ryan Kubakika, a student at Uganda Christian University (UCU), has shocked friends, classmates and members of the university community.
Kubakika, who was pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in year 4, is reported to have died on Friday evening after becoming unresponsive while spending time with friends at Innovations Hostel in Bugujju.
According to Paul Nelson Bubolo, the Chief Judge of the Guild Tribunal and a close friend of the deceased, Kubakika had attended classes normally throughout the day.
“We were in class with Ryan up to around 6 p.m.,” Bubolo said, “Later, some friends invited him to Innovations Hostel where they were playing FIFA on PlayStation. Ryan told them, ‘Man, you guys let me rest,’ as he waited for his turn to play.”
Bubolo said that five minutes later, friends attempted to wake him up when it was his turn, but he was unresponsive.
“He posted on his status at around 7:16 p.m., but by about 7:30 p.m. he was no longer responding. They tried to administer first aid but there was no response,” Bubolo said.
Friends rushed Kubakika to a medical facility in Bugujju before he was transferred to Namirembe Church of Uganda Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Bubolo remembered him as someone who enjoyed life and valued friendships.
“He was always jolly and happy. We celebrated his birthdays together at my place,” he said.
Acting Director of Students Affairs (DOSA), Ms Enid Ashaba Mugarura, expressed sadness at the loss.
“It is sad, very sad that we have lost Ryan,” she said.
According to the tentative burial programme, mass will be held at 3pm on Saturday May 30th, at St Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, opposite UCU’s main gate, followed by a vigil in Kabubu at 5 p.m.
Another vigil will be held in Kakyeka, Mbarara, on Sunday evening. On Monday, a requiem mass will take place at Mbarara Martyrs Church at 11 a.m., followed by a vigil in Kisizi at 6 p.m.
Kubakika will be laid to rest in Kisizi on Tuesday at 10 a.m.
