Namasagali College’s former headteacher known for introducing computer studies in Uganda, Father Damien Grimes is dead at the age of 93.
The Namasagali College Alumni Association in a Thursday statement indicated that Fr Grimes breathed his last at his country home in the UK on September 4, 2024.
He served the Mill Hill Missionaries (MHM) in Uganda for 41 years before taking on the reins as headteacher of Namilyango College.
Born 1931 in the UK, Grimes arrived in Uganda in 1959, armed with a deep sense of purpose and a commitment to shaping young minds.
His journey began at Namilyango College, Uganda’s first secondary school, where he laid the foundation for what would become an illustrious career in education.
However, it was at Namasagali College, where he served as headteacher from 1967 to 2000 (33 years ), that Father Grimes truly left an indelible mark.
Namasagali College, under Father Grimes’s stewardship, was more than just a school; it was a nurturing ground for Uganda’s future leaders. His innovative approach to education, characterised by a unique blend of academic rigour and extracurricular excellence, set Namasagali apart.
The school became renowned for its vibrant student government system, a microcosm of real-world governance that instilled in students a sense of responsibility, leadership, and civic duty.
Father Grimes’s vision extended beyond the classroom. He recognised the importance of holistic development, ensuring that students excelled in sports, the arts, and spiritual growth.
The introduction of computer studies in 1985, the establishment of Uganda’s first school swimming pool, and the emphasis on drama and public speaking are just a few examples of his forward-thinking approach.
His efforts produced not only scholars but well-rounded individuals prepared to face the challenges of life. As an alumnus of Namasagali College, I, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cornelius Wambi Gulere, along with my brother Nicholas Kisiigha and many others from our home, had the privilege of being moulded by Father Grimes.
Biography of Father Damien Grimes
Early life and education
Father Damien Grimes was born on January 15, 1931, in Liverpool, England. From an early age, he demonstrated a strong inclination towards both faith and education, which would shape his future endeavours.
After completing his primary and secondary education, he pursued higher education at the University of Glasgow, where he graduated with Honours in Education. His spiritual journey led him to St Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, where he completed a four-year theology course, and then to Mill Hill College in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, where he undertook a two-year Philosophy course.
He was ordained as a priest in 1955 August 4th at the age of 24, joining the Mill Hill Missionaries, a British Roman Catholic missionary society dedicated to global missionary work.
Missionary Work in Uganda
Father Grimes arrived in Uganda in 1959, marking the beginningofa41-year journey that would profoundly impact the nation. His first assignment was at Namilyango College, Uganda’s first secondary school, established by the Mill Hill Missionaries in 1902.
As a young and enthusiastic educator, Father Grimes played a pivotal role in setting up the A-level section at Namilyango College, a significant achievement that enhanced the school’s academic reputation. His dedication to improving educational standards quickly earned him the respect of both his peers and students. Leadership at Namasagali College.
In 1967, Father Grimes was appointed Headteacher of Kamuli College, which was later renamed Namasagali College. The school was in a dire state when he took over, housed in the former railway and port site of the East Africa Railways Harbor, which had been abandoned in 1962.
Undeterred by the challenges, Father Grimes embarked on a mission to transform the school into a centre of excellence. He recruited skilled teachers from the UK, including volunteers from the British Council’s Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) programme. One of these volunteers was Jon Snow, who would later become a renowned British TV news anchor.
Father Grimes’ innovative approach to education was evident in the unique student government system he established, which mirror the legal and administrative structure of the UK. This system not only empowered students but also instilled in them a deep sense of responsibility and leadership.
Under his leadership, Namasagali College became known for its rigorous academic standards and diverse extracurricular programs, including sports, drama, elocution, and computer studies.
In 1985, the school became the first in- Uganda to introduce computer studies, thanks to Father Grimes’ initiative. By the early 1970s, Namasagali College had grown to accommodate over 1,000 students, attracting some of the brightest minds in the country.
The school became a beacon of educational excellence, with its students consistently excelling in national exams and securing placements in prestigious universities, including Makerere University. Impact and Legacy.
Fr Grime’s death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to education and spiritual guidance, leaving behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Editor’s note :
In 1991, the Queen awarded Father Grimes with the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) chivalry award for his long-term service to education in Africa while in 2022, the Uganda Government awarded him a medal for his outstanding services to Uganda’s education service in which he committed to staying with his students, even through the political upheavals that affected Uganda from the 1970’s.
Namasagali was Uganda’s first private school and was a force to be reckoned with in its glory days. His innovative approach introducing an international approach to the education his generation of students got was later to be copied and adopted by later schools that wanted to attract modern-minded, middle and well-to-do parents that wanted the same for their children.
He spent his later years -a much laid-back old man at the Mill Hill Fathers’ Home in Formby, in the sea port city of Liverpool .Father Grimes was an embodiment of Namasagali College’s motto ‘Strive Regardless’ amd Namilyango’s Nisi Dominus (Without God , We Toil in Vain.)
