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By Ben Musanje
After ten years at the helm of the Ministry of Water and Environment, former minister Sam Cheptoris returned to the ministry headquarters in Luzira with one simple mission — to say goodbye.
The veteran politician, who was not reappointed to Cabinet after battling illness for nearly three years, stood before his successor Maj. Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire and ministry staff, many of whom had worked closely with him throughout his decade-long tenure, and delivered what became less of a formal speech and more of a heartfelt farewell.
“Really, General, I came here and asked the PS (Permanent Secretary Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi) that I was not going to go out as a chicken thief. Somehow, I must say goodbye,” Cheptoris told staff as he began his remarks.
The statement immediately set the tone for an emotional address filled with gratitude, humour, life lessons and reflections on public service.
Cheptoris said that after spending ten years leading the ministry, he could not simply walk away without thanking the people who had made his time in office memorable.
“Having spent ten years of my best life in this ministry, really, it was only fair that I come and appreciate those who made my life worthwhile in this ministry,” he said.
As he looked across the room, he thanked everyone from commissioners and technical staff to receptionists, guards and support workers.
The former minister spoke warmly about the relationships he had built during his time at the ministry, recalling how many staff members stood by him during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
In 2021, after decades in public service, Cheptoris decided not to seek another term in Parliament. He had planned to retire and rest.
“Then God said this man should be sick. I don’t know whether it was God or it was Satan,” he joked, drawing laughter from the audience.
What followed was a long and painful battle with illness.
Cheptoris revealed that he travelled across several countries searching for treatment.
“I went to Nakasero, they failed. I went to Cairo, they failed. I went to Aga Khan in Nairobi, they failed. I went to South Africa, they failed. I went to Germany,” he recounted.
Yet amid the struggle, what stayed with him most was the support he received from friends and former colleagues.
Speaking about one ministry official who travelled all the way to Germany to visit him in hospital, Cheptoris appeared visibly touched.
“Can you imagine how this man loves me? He followed me up to Germany,” he said.
The former minister said moments like those were the reason he felt compelled to return and personally thank ministry staff.
“That is why when I say I want to come and thank, I want to come and thank people like this,” he said.
He also revealed that some staff members sent him money during his illness while others constantly checked on his wellbeing.
“All of you, really, I want to thank you for the help you gave me. I want to thank you for the good time you gave me here at the Ministry of Water,” he said.
In one of the most memorable moments of the speech, Cheptoris thanked everyone, including security personnel and receptionists, for their kindness over the years.
“I want to thank everybody, including the guards, the reception,” he said.
Beyond gratitude, Cheptoris used the occasion to share lessons he had learned from a lifetime in leadership.
Having started his career as a teacher at Sebei College in 1975 before becoming deputy headmaster, headmaster, district leader, legislator and eventually Cabinet minister, he said public office should never be mistaken for permanent ownership.
“This is a temporary job,” he said.
“I knew right from the beginning that being a minister was a temporary job.”
He said understanding that reality had helped him remain grounded throughout his time in government.
“Now that job has been taken. And I was prepared that this job would be taken at one time,” he said.
The former minister urged public servants to treat people with respect because positions eventually come and go.
“If you never knew, while you are in this job, treat your people properly,” he advised.
“Treat your people properly. Treat the people well. Treat the secretary well.”
He cautioned against arrogance and the temptation to become consumed by power and status.
“The moment you know that you came here to be hired for a few years and then you go home, then you will live a very good life,” he said.
“But when you come here and you start putting flags, waving flags at everybody, in the lift you don’t want people to enter, you want to be alone, you move everywhere with a bodyguard…”
The audience burst into laughter as Cheptoris recounted his long-running dislike for official security escorts.
“They gave me a bodyguard. The man was following me everywhere. Look at me. Why are you following me?” he joked.
“I don’t need your protection.”
Still, beneath the humour was a serious message.
“The Bible says, treat others as you want them to treat you. That is the best policy,” he said.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Cheptoris turned his attention to his successor, Kahinda Otafiire, whom he warmly welcomed back to the ministry.
“I want to welcome General Otafiire. Really, I tell you, he is a very good minister,” he said.
He told ministry staff they would enjoy working with Otafiire because of his straightforward nature and dislike for unnecessary displays of authority.
Then came one final moment that summed up the entire farewell.
As he prepared to invite Otafiire to speak, Cheptoris suddenly paused and laughed.
“Oh! I had forgotten that I thought I was still the minister,” he admitted.
The room erupted with laughter.
It was an ending that perfectly reflected the man many at the ministry had come to know over the last ten years — humble, approachable, humorous and deeply appreciative of the people around him.
And as applause filled the hall, Sam Cheptoris walked away from the ministry not as a departing politician, but as a grateful colleague saying farewell to a family he had spent a decade building. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
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