Rev. Fr. Damian Grimes, a towering figure in Uganda’s education and sports history, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Known for his remarkable contribution to nurturing talent and shaping the minds and character of countless students, his passing marks the end of an era. The Namasagali College Alumni Association, which he served for decades, mourned his passing with the words, “The lion has fallen.”
In a heartfelt tribute, the alumni association added, “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 made our hearts melt.” The association praised his unwavering commitment to students, emphasizing that while the drumbeats of his life have grown silent, his spirit lives on in the hearts he touched and the lives he transformed.
A Legacy of Holistic Education
Born in 1930, Fr. Grimes, a Roman Catholic Mill Hill Missionary, arrived in Uganda in 1959. Over the next 42 years, he played an instrumental role in shaping Uganda’s education system. He began his mission as a history teacher at Namilyango College before moving to Kamuli College, now known as Namasagali College. He spent more than three decades at Namasagali, serving as principal from 1969 to 2000, during which he not only witnessed but actively shaped the lives of hundreds of students.
Fr. Grimes’ vision for education extended beyond the classroom. He believed in a holistic approach, integrating academics with music, dance, drama, and sports, which made Namasagali a hub for creative and intellectual development. This forward-thinking philosophy was initially met with skepticism, especially from parents concerned that arts and sports might distract students. However, his approach proved transformative, producing some of Uganda’s most talented artists, radio hosts, comedians, playwrights, and athletes.
Ian Kiyingi Muddu, writing for The African Theatre Magazine, highlighted Fr. Grimes’ pivotal role in turning Namasagali into Uganda’s academic and creative hub, where he nurtured the mind, body, and heart of each student. His dedication to the arts, co-curricular activities, and education has left an indelible mark on Uganda’s educational landscape.
A Champion for Girls’ Education and Sports
Fr. Grimes was also a strong advocate for girls’ education. His forward-thinking approach, combined with his dedication to championing girls’ rights to higher learning, played a critical role in advancing education for young women in Uganda. At a farewell dinner, former Education Minister Edward Kiddu Makubuya praised the priest for balancing reason and logic and for inspiring generations of Ugandans to pursue excellence.
Fr. Grimes was also a passionate sports enthusiast, founding the National Chess Competition in the 1980s. The championship was later renamed in his honor, the Fr. Grimes Chess Championship, in recognition of his lasting contribution to sports development in Uganda. The most recent edition of the event, held at St. Mark’s College Namagoma, attracted over 1,000 participants from across the country.
Fr. Grimes’ love for sports extended beyond chess. His leadership of the Uganda Amateur Boxing Association during President Idi Amin’s regime led to Uganda’s success in boxing, further cementing his status as a key figure in the country’s sporting history.
A Life Remembered
Fr. Grimes retired to North Wales in 2000 but remained deeply connected to Uganda and his former students. Last year, several of his former students gathered to celebrate his 92nd birthday in Liverpool, where he lived at the Holy Trinity Church in Formby. The reunion was filled with tributes from students whose lives he had shaped, recounting memories of his contributions to their education and personal growth.
Fr. Grimes, in his characteristic humility, credited his success to God. “I tried to do what I did to please God, and in as far as you have found that helpful, it is God you should think of and thank Him, not me,” he remarked at the gathering.
As Uganda mourns the loss of one of its most beloved educators, Fr. Grimes’ legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched and the generations he inspired. His influence will continue to be felt, not only through Namasagali College but throughout Uganda’s educational and cultural sectors.
