After serving for a decade as Uganda’s Minister of Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris returned to the ministry headquarters in Luzira with a mission that was both simple and deeply personal—to bid farewell to the people who had stood with him throughout one of the most significant chapters of his life.
The veteran politician, who was not reappointed to Cabinet following a prolonged battle with illness, arrived at the ministry not as a serving minister but as a man seeking closure, gratitude, and an opportunity to thank colleagues who had become part of his journey over the years.
Standing before ministry staff and his successor, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, Cheptoris immediately set an emotional tone with remarks that drew both laughter and reflection from those gathered in the room.
“Really, General, I came here and asked the Permanent Secretary that I was not going to go out like a chicken thief. Somehow, I must say goodbye,” he said, prompting smiles across the audience while emphasizing the importance of leaving office with dignity and appreciation.
The statement perfectly captured the spirit of his farewell. Rather than quietly disappearing from public office after ten years of service, Cheptoris wanted to personally thank the people who had made his tenure meaningful and memorable.
He explained that after spending what he described as some of the best years of his life at the ministry, it would have been unfair to leave without expressing gratitude to those who worked alongside him every day.
Looking around the room, he acknowledged everyone who had contributed to the ministry’s work, from senior commissioners and technical experts to receptionists, drivers, cleaners, and security guards. To him, every individual had played a role in making his leadership journey successful.
As he reflected on his time in office, Cheptoris spoke warmly about the friendships and professional relationships he had built over the years. His remarks revealed a leader who valued people more than titles and remembered acts of kindness long after they were offered.
The former minister became particularly emotional when recalling one of the most difficult periods of his life. In 2021, after decades in public service, he had planned to retire from politics and focus on enjoying a quieter life away from the pressures of leadership.
However, fate had different plans. Shortly after stepping away from elective politics, he was struck by a serious illness that would take him on a long and exhausting journey across several countries in search of treatment and recovery.
With his trademark sense of humor, Cheptoris joked that he was not sure whether his illness had been sent by God or by Satan. The comment generated laughter, but it also highlighted the pain and uncertainty he endured during those difficult years.
He recounted how he sought medical treatment at several respected health facilities, including hospitals in Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Germany. Despite the challenges, he never lost his sense of humor or appreciation for the people who stood by him.
What touched him most, he said, was not the medical treatment itself but the unwavering support he received from friends, colleagues, and ministry staff. During his illness, many people continued to check on him, encourage him, and offer practical support.
One story particularly moved the audience. Cheptoris recalled how a ministry official traveled all the way to Germany simply to visit him in hospital. The gesture left a lasting impression on him and became one of the defining memories of his recovery journey.
“Can you imagine how this man loves me? He followed me up to Germany,” he said, visibly touched as he remembered the act of kindness. For him, such moments represented the true value of relationships built through years of mutual respect.
The former minister revealed that many staff members also sent him financial assistance and regularly contacted him to inquire about his wellbeing. Those gestures, he said, reminded him that leadership is ultimately about human connections rather than authority.
Beyond expressing gratitude, Cheptoris used the occasion to share lessons he had learned throughout a public service career that began nearly five decades ago. From his early days as a teacher and school administrator to his roles in local government, Parliament, and Cabinet, he said one truth had remained constant.
“Being a minister is a temporary job,” he told the audience. He explained that understanding the temporary nature of power had helped him remain humble throughout his years in government and had prepared him psychologically for the day he would leave office.
He urged public servants never to become intoxicated by titles, privileges, or official status. According to him, positions come and go, but the way leaders treat people while in office determines how they will ultimately be remembered.
In one of the strongest parts of his speech, Cheptoris advised government officials to respect everyone around them, including junior staff members. He warned against arrogance, saying leaders who isolate themselves behind power often forget that one day they will return to ordinary life.
The audience burst into laughter when he mocked some of the privileges associated with high office, including bodyguards and special treatment. He joked that he never understood why a security officer needed to follow him everywhere, insisting that he did not require such protection.
As the ceremony drew to a close, Cheptoris warmly welcomed Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire back to the Ministry of Water and Environment, describing him as an effective and straightforward leader who would serve the institution well.
Then, in a moment that perfectly captured his humility and humor, he paused midway through the proceedings and laughed. “Oh! I had forgotten that I thought I was still the minister,” he said, sending the room into laughter and bringing an unforgettable farewell to a fitting conclusion.
