A life remembered, A Gospel displayed - Shimon Aijuka

Shimon Mbabazi Aijuka (1994–2026) was laid to rest today, Sunday 15th February 2026, having finished his race and, by all testimony, lived a full and God-honoring life. I had the privilege of sharing space with him on just two occasions.

First encounter: The weekend of 6th May 2023, when we both served as groomsmen. I’ve chosen my best photo with him from that function — he is the dignified and joyful gentleman to my right. That weekend was special in many ways (I wrote about it some time back on this blog), but it remains my fondest memory of him. He brightened the moments with humor and warmth, and beyond celebrating our friends, the Muhumuzas, he stayed close to comfort them, as they had just lost their mother. Even in celebration, he carried compassion.

My next encounter was at his four-hour memorial service held at St. Kakumba Chapel, Kyambogo, where we sang and eulogized him. I had known Shimon as a believer because of the company he kept, but I did not fully know his life. Often, nothing summarizes a life quite like a memorial service. I made up my mind to attend — partly to understand how he had signed off, but more importantly to stand with the Muhumuzas, who had walked closely with him through treatment, recovery, and his final days. I felt compelled to show up for the young couple we have purposed to stand with in their journey of love & life.

Credit must be given to the service organizer, Rev. Emmanuel Mwesigwa, Chaplain of St. James Kakumba Chapel, where Shimon had/was also serving. The flow of the service made it clear where his gaze was fixed. A liturgy alone can reveal whom a leader honors. We sang some of the richest hymns - The Old Rugged Cross, Sayuni Omwiguru, Ndi mu Kristayo - songs that anchored our faith and hope in both life and death.

Though I knew Shimon had undergone surgery in 2023, I had assumed he had fully recovered and was not fully aware of his journey thereafter. Through the speeches, I came to know him beyond his sickness.

The students from Shoma Christian Academy and Nabisunsa Girls Chapel testified boldly of his impact. One shared a humorous story: he once caught a student sleeping in class, plucked a flower from outside, and gently teased the sleepy student, sending the class into laughter. Instead of harsh punishment — as many of us knew in our day — he corrected with warmth, leaving both joy and lesson in the room.

A parent recounted how, during Sports Day, he would banter with Shimon whenever their classes competed  and how other teachers would whisper that if Shimon was around, his class would likely win. He was an all-rounder. He was the life of the party! 

The school administration shared that even after surgery, he requested to remain in active service, taking on demanding duties because he wanted to stay engaged and not allow his mind to drift into sorrow.

Another moving testimony came from his classmate from Master’s degree, which he completed in 2024 (remarkably, while undergoing surgery). This colleague shared that, he himself had faced a spine operation. His blood pressure had risen from fear of the procedure. The day before his surgery, Shimon visited him and cheered him on. He described Shimon as one of his greatest encouragers during that season. Not only did he visit and strengthen him with words, but he also organized a fundraising campaign to support him. As I listened, the words of the Apostle Paul came to mind: that we are comforted by God in our afflictions so that we may comfort others with the same comfort we have received (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Here was a man undergoing his own battles, yet still pouring courage into someone else’s fear. He ministered while wounded. He strengthened others while himself being strengthened.

Many testified of how he ministered with them at university and during community outreaches. A friend who didn't make it for the memorial service, told me he once met Shimon, who immediately recognized him from his brother and struck up a warm conversation. He was, in many ways, like the extroverted Apostle Peter - able to begin a conversation with ease and leave you joyful.

Then there were my Mary and Elia Muhumuzas, who alongside Shimon’s immediate family, bore much of the burden, praying and hosting their best friend at their home, mobilizing funds, organizing care, and rallying their cohort known as “The Beloveds.” They even created nursing shifts as his health deteriorated. In them, I saw the gospel lived out in one of its purest forms. It almost made me want to randomly attend memorial services simply to be stirred toward deeper generosity.

When Scripture commands us to bear one another’s burdens, to serve one another, to accept one another, and to care for the sick among us — they obeyed. This season of their friend’s illness did not weaken their faith; it refined and strengthened it. No one spoke in bitterness. No one questioned God’s sovereignty in calling their friend home sooner than expected. Instead, there was a sober and settled recognition that sickness may indeed befall a believer, and that prayers for healing sometimes culminate in the Lord choosing to take His child from this troubled world into His presence. Such a conviction stands in contrast to much of the false assurance proclaimed in our day. Yet our Lord and King Himself told us plainly, “In the world you will have tribulation.” (John 16:33).  Faith is not to be denied by suffering. It is to be anchored in Christ through it.

Rev. Emmanuel did not shy away from reminding us that his final visit with Shimon, the day before his passing, was one of preparation - preparing him and those around him for his encounter with our Lord and King. The words of the Apostle Paul echoed in my mind: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14. There was a clear sense of assurance in Christ from every speaker. In the face of death, only those whose hope is anchored in Christ can stand. As we were reminded, “Blessed are those who die in the Lord.”

Life is brief. But a life hidden in Christ is never wasted. And Shimon - ran his race, fought his battles, and now rests with our Lord and King. May the God of all comfort strengthen all who knew and loved him.