Round March 2003, a 28-year previous David Setimba Gavamukulya arrived at Legends, then Kampala Rugby Membership, unaware his tenure there as a groundsman would final thus far.
It’s now 18 years and counting of a Legend of types bred at Legends.
Now 45, Setimba generally often called Daudi has grow to be a mainstay on the grounds and day with out him there may be just like fatherless dwelling.
“I’m a grandfather and father right here. I do know and love each nook of this facility like my very own baby,” he says, with an sincere beam. Many swarm Legends to catch native and worldwide motion all year long as gamers, coaches and referees hog all of the headlines.
Mowing and marking
Behind all that unfolds on pitch lies the unsung hero in Setimba, whose thorough and tireless efforts to set the pitch makes match days potential.
His line of responsibility goes past mowing and marking the Legends greens however being a package supervisor, taking good care of balls, boots and holding the altering rooms clear.
For somebody who does their job so nicely, Setimba surprisingly by no means utilized nor got here on the lookout for it however destiny obtained him there. “My elder brother was working with Dr. Sam Guma at Hospice in Makindye. Guma was a part of the Kampala Rugby Membership govt they usually wanted a groundsman, that’s how my brother really useful me,” Daudi remembers.
Regardless of being clueless on what his new job entailed, he simply stated sure earlier than being led to Lugogo. Whereas there he got here throughout rugby, a sport he had by no means seen or heard of, however fell in love with it to bits before later.
“The collisions, the working and the environment shocked me. The humility with which I used to be acquired made me really feel at dwelling.”
Setimba’s newfound love for the sport solely grew deeper and at some stage he had to decide on a membership. Kobs was a simple alternative, the rapport he shared with the organisation was constructed on mutual love.
“I help all groups right here however Kobs is my favorite by a mile, they’ve proven me love from the primary day,” he says earlier than including extra phrases of endearment. “I’ve sufficient tunics at dwelling however my household is conscious that I should be buried in a Kobs jersey once I move on,” claims Daudi.
The late Edward Kitaka, a Kobs and native rugby legend, handed on in 2005 two years after Setimba’s arrival and the latter was shattered. He was like a giant brother to him and the 2 shared many reminiscences.
His humility moved him and performed a serious function in attracting him to Kobs. “He may afford shopping for water from the bar however drank that I boiled and saved within the Kobs’ jerry can.
“He cherished Kobs, the sport and everybody round. I’m glad he died understanding Kobs was in secure arms with me.”
Since his arrival in 2003, Setimba has seen about three generations of gamers. From the times of Nathan Wasolo and Guma thus far.
To color an image, Setimba first set foot a Legends earlier than the towering Naguru Hospital and Forest Mall, that border Legends East and West had a brick laid.
The interval has blessed Legends which has been dwelling to about 4 golf equipment (Kobs, Pirates, Rhinos and Warriors) with elegant expertise.
You may think about what number of video games within the window have discovered Setimba sat in his favorite nook simply outdoors the dressing rooms. Of all which have stepped on the Legends turf, Allan Musoke is epitome of all of them in accordance with Setimba.
“Every time he held the ball, my intestine instructed me one thing particular was coming. He had all of it, the velocity, energy and brains. He scored for enjoyable,” recollects the animated Setimba who provides brothers Lawrence and Simon Wakabi, Dr. Stone Lugya, Justin Kimono, Ronnie Kaddu and Fred Mudoola to the very best he has seen.
Fancied
When Rugby World Cup sure Namibia visited in 2006, Setimba took his favorite spot and had a great view of what was to transpire on the pitch.
The fancied Welwitschias obtained off to a flying begin however Uganda recovered in entrance of a full home at Legends, successful 20-19. It stays his finest worldwide sport though one thing else caught his eye.
Throughout a Cranes scrum, as Captain Adrian Bukenya and Lugya have been engineering a play, Lugya collided with the centre referee, forcing the sport to cease because the South African wanted stitches to cease the bleeding. It’s a element that many don’t recall and by no means point out however it was his spotlight.
“We have been dropping till Stone knocked down the referee, when he returned from getting first help I believe he made higher choices thus serving to Uganda win,” he bursts out in laughter with sarcasm written throughout.
Kobs’ 21-14 win over Pirates within the 2018 Uganda Cup remaining is his finest Kobs sport. “That they had taken a while with out successful a trophy and badly wanted one. They even needed to come from behind to win it, I felt relieved and completely happy on the similar time.”
How does one final as a groundsman for all these years? “At the start, I really like the job and I used to be born a tough employee. I really like working and regardless of being a one man unit, I’m not phased,” he says. Gaining peoples’ belief has additionally saved him going on the similar workstation.
Wet day
“If I have been a thief, I might have been fired. I preserve peoples’ cash and devices however by no means get the considered stealing something, it makes folks belief me and provides me extra,” explains Daudi.
Challenges like rain falling after the pitch has been marked imply he has to revisit and add new lime.
Away from that it’s enjoyable for him, he even admits to working within the wee hours of the morning earlier than the sport as he spends nights at Legends in one of many altering room chambers.
Setimba says his time at Legends has seen him reap dividends. “I’ve made too many buddies, I can’t get an issue and fail to get bailed out,” he states.
He has additionally managed to get a home In Mpererwe and two in Mukono all from his tenure at Legends. Like every employee, retirement retains popping up in Setimba’s thoughts.
“I wish to retire, not so removed from right now however I might like to get there when Kobs have their very own grounds. I might even reverse my resolution simply to maintain serving them,” that’s how expensive Kobs is to Setimba that he needs to relaxation of their blue when he breathes his final.
dbugembe@ug.nationmedia.com
