Beautiful tribute to my late papa by the enigmatic ‘Sea Horse’

“Damn you, George, my old rival, why did you have to steal my mojo at every twist and turn? The only time you offered me a glimmer of hope was when you skipped school that one time in our primary school days. But after that, you transformed into an academic and professional prodigy! You swiped…

“Damn you, George, my old rival, why did you have to steal my mojo at every twist and turn? The only time you offered me a glimmer of hope was when you skipped school that one time in our primary school days. But after that, you transformed into an academic and professional prodigy!

You swiped the spotlight when you outshone me in school. You outpaced me to university. You received a fully-funded scholarship from the British Government, under the Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plan and traveled to Britain, where you trained and successfully in Civil Engineering.

Over the years, I kept a meticulous scorecard of your accomplishments. You climbed the ladder becoming the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works; a big shot on the Civil Aviation Authority Board; and even the head honcho of the Rotary Club in Entebbe. By example, you set the bar high for us.

As time marched on, I had nursed the hope of a triumphant comeback. But here you are now, resting in this grave. You’ve done it again, my friend – you’ve snatched victory from my grasp, even in the afterlife. I surrender, George, I bow down. Farewell, my eternal victor.

Those who came to mourn you have left. Those who came to praise you too. I stayed back to let you know that I forgive you but I will not forget.”
‘Sea Horse’

This beautiful tribute to our late papa was witnessed, recorded, memorialized and recalled by my brother, Papa Odwe Ejakait Chief Emmanuel George Owaraga II, Owner and Managing Director of Owaraga Still & Motion Group.

A memory he has archived and shared through a post on his Facebook profile; and in which he explained how he witnessed the profound moment. Owaraga II wrote:

“Three years ago today, my clan, my buddies, my comrades, my siblings and I set off to bid farewell to Engineer George William Owaraga as he embarked on his final adventure in his ancestral home in Pallisa.

After the grand ceremony, as the last mourners departed, an intriguing character caught my eye – an elderly gentleman with a hat bearing the bold inscription, “Sea Horse.”

He strutted like a character straight out of a wild west movie, with his head slightly tilted, resembling those tense showdowns from classic westerns. The mental soundtrack that accompanied his strides was unmistakably Ennio Morricone’s masterpiece from “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly,” I imagined.

I couldn’t resist tailing this enigmatic ‘Sea Horse’. As he approached my father’s resting place. I am glad I did for he commenced an earnest conversation with his dearly departed amigo, which I was privileged to witness.”
Papa Odwe Ejakait Chief Emmanuel George Owaraga II