Thread by @nsaawa_grace

When I became President of the Makerere Law Society at the Makerere University School of Law, my dad told me about the story of Former Guild President, Galo Githo. Galo Githo was the Guild President of Makerere University when my dad joined the University in 1997
#MakerereAt100

My Dad’s intentions were to guide me to tread carefully especially while dealing with administration as a leader. To a larger extent, even when I had such a cordial working relationship with the Principal of the @MakerereLaw, Prof. Christopher Mbazira, this advice stuck with me.

Prof. Chris is an advocate for the freedom of expression. He always appreciated me as a young leader who came out open to him on several issues regarding student welfare. But I lived in the constant fear of being the bad dancer who stepped on others’ toes on the dance floor.

When I saw this post of Galo Githo Renny Stephen, I was fascinated by what he stood for and his slogan! I carried out a search to read about him and his fate. “In Galo Githo we see a value that is priceless standing by the wayside so as to let others benefit.”
#MakerereAt100

@MakGuild President Emeritus Galo Githo was dismissed from Makerere University 25 years ago while he was in his final year of study in Medical School.

“At that  time, the government had considered introducing cost-sharing measures and abolish free university education for the best students in the country, a move that Galogitho opposed as a student leader.” - @UGIndependent

I want to believe there were more sinister reasons than meets the eye, leading to the then Guild President’s dismissal, and subsequent refusal of @Makerere Administration to recommend him to study in any other University including Nairobi University where he was later admitted.

From Galo Githo’s story, I now know the bravery of the many leaders who suffered in the days of old, that ethics in leadership is not primarily about staying out of trouble! My dad may have been right, giving Galo Githo’s story his meaning, but it has a bigger, better meaning.

James William Mugeni, an old friend of Former Guild President Galo Githo saw his comment on Facebook when the Ivory Tower was gutted by a Fire in September 2020 and looked for him. He found a desperate, impecunious and miserable Former Guild President of the Great @Makerere.

James arranged a Fundraiser to “Help bring Galo Githo back to humanity” in October 2020, including acquiring a smart phone for him. Addressing his old friends on a video call, he opened his speech with the famous phrase “Gallant Comrades…” this warmed my heart
#MakerereAt100

“There’s always hope for a cut tree to sprout, why not a human being? I have been in school outside school. The school of life. School isn’t restricted to the conventional classroom or lecture theatre setting. I have learnt much outside the walls and gates of formal school.”

He said, in an interview, “A flowering plant is beautiful and even more beautiful when trimmed.Persistence is key, we should never give up unless forced to. The lesson gleaned from the snail is that out of stubborn patience, it managed to reach Noah’s Ark in the Biblical story.”

Writing in @The_EastAfrican, Githo’s friend James said “The distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by those who went to Makerere is so infectious but sometimes it is just puff ball mashroom like that get deflated with a kick.”
#makerereat100

With the help of old friends, after 25 years of misery and despair, Former Guild President Galo Githo is now admitted to @DrakeUniversity pursuing a course in Public Management and Leadership. He was denied his dream of becoming a medical doctor, for speaking up for his people.

Former Guild President Galo Githo lost his place in @Makerere in October 1996. Coincidentally, Makerere University is set to celebrate 100 years of “Excellent Service to Humanity” in October this year, 2022.

#BringGaloGithoBackHome

When we sing the @Makerere Anthem, we sing “Do not forget, Through all the years
Those who have gone through the gates of Makerere
Give them the pride, Give them the joy, Oh! To remember, The gates of Makerere”

#ForgiveGaloGitho
#ReturnofGaloGitho
#makerereat100
#BringHimHome

We sing “Those who here be, Seek ye the truth, Build for the future, The great Makerere, Those here have been, Those here will be, Build for the future, The Great @Makerere”

My plea to @ProfNawangwe and the Makerere University Council is to pardon Guild President Galo Githo. Kindly revisit the circumstances under which he was dismissed and call him home to celebrate 100 years of what he sacrificed his life for, building for the future! @LornaMagara

The fundraiser to support Galo Githo to pursue studies is still on going as per @EastNewsUG. He can be contacted on WhatsApp and MTN: 0783010867
Airtel: 0758074941

This morning, I have had a lengthy conversation with Former @Makerere Guild President, Galo Githo Renny Stephen. He is currently staying in the Village in Tororo, where he stays with his wife and children.He did not go to Drake University because of lack of funds.#MakerereAt100

Oh my God! He is so optimistic, and full of energy, and very encouraged to know that we remember him. He was was very excited to hear from me, he is full of wisdom. He has already connected with me on my WhatsApp and he has a lot of passion for this generation of leaders.

“I have been pulling the Steep Wagon of Life for the past 27 years, but when young people like you with a lot of energy for activism and dynamism reach out, it means everything, you have made my day, this call makes all the difference for me!” - Former Guild President Galo Githo

“I know that Parents have been using my story to scare life out of young people who would like to pursue leadership in the University. I have suffered deep in the graveyard of social apartheid, but I know that life begins from negation. It is from the negatives that life begins”

“Hardships bring out the best of us! Embrace hard situations and difficulties. I am grateful for having been at Makerere University because it is from there that I got all the comradeship that has been there for me all through life going forward.” - Galo Githo Renny Stephen

“Makerere is not bad as an institution. It is such a strange paradox. Institutions are destroyed by human beings. But it is all blessings from me. I have to forgive them, people who persecute others don’t know what they are doing. Some we ought to forgive them.” #MakerereAt100

“I am still full of Positive Energy. What could I have done differently, I would have operated a lot of people with hydrocele as a Doctor. The hardness of life shouldn’t discourage you! Friction is a force which opposes motion. There’s is no motion without friction” - Galo Githo

Former Guild President Galo Githo Renny Stephen sent his greetings to all the Young Leaders especially members of the @MakGuild. He is looking forward to the opportunity to share his experiences with us all, and to allow us learn from him what life has taught him. #MakerereAt100

@Makerere is having speaker series in celebration of #MakerereAt100. Former Guild President Stephen Renny Galo Githo is one to listen to. His innermost convictions to oppose the Structural Adjustment Program were to “Build for the Future.” Bring him Home. @ProfNawangwe

@moses_mulindwa

Good morning friends, since yesterday, your empathy and support towards Former Guild President Galo Githo has yielded tremendous results. We created a WhatsApp group with a goal to Contribute to the uplifting and turn around of the life of Stephen Renny Galo Githo. Find link👇🏽

People have showed support in amazing ways that have given Githo hope for the future. We have set targets that we know shall be achieved and we encourage all of you to join this cause and support it generously. Follow this link to join my WhatsApp group: chat.whatsapp.com/Ja2OLklewWr8x0…

The target outcomes of the drive is to;
1. Provide for the immediate needs of former @Makerere Guild President Galo Githo (personal effects etc)

2. Purchase land on his behalf. Construct a modest house for him

3. Provide an IGA income generating activity.

#ReturnofGitho

There has been a suggestion/ plan for a grain mill installation. This will include housing for the mill.
The Progress so far in regard to turning around the life of Former Guild President Galo Githo is as follows;

#ReturnofGitho
#MakerereAt100
#RestoringtheShortTower

There has been a Substantial contribution towards personal needs (Basic personal effects, communication and study aid devices and fees for progenies).

#ReturnofGitho
#MakerereAt100
#BuildfortheFuture

A One (1) Acre piece of land 8Km from Jinja "City" central business district has been purchased for Former @Makerere Guild President Galo Githo Renny Stephen (pending processing of title)

#MakerereAt100

There is so much more financial support that has come through from you and The Former Guild President is immensely grateful. He sent me a text and said “Grace looks you have a magic touch!Hopefully you have been following all that has happened since your tweet!”

#MakerereAt100

This is all thanks to you people who have responded so swiftly and compassionately towards supporting the cause to Restore the Short Tower of @Makerere. This is a man to whom many are indebted. And the results speak for themselves. Thank you #UOT for the overwhelming responses.

There is so much more that we can do together. Life is about togetherness, Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head"_Matthew 8: 20_. We need each other. You have proved that a lot more can be done and it is not too late.