In Memory of John Ssembatya, BLI Farm Manager 1974-2019
With deep sorrow we share the loss of our Farm Manger, John Ssembatya, on 5/10/2019. John was taking milk to his customers on his bicycle and had an accident en route. John was the first, and until now, the longest serving BLI staff member, having joined BLI in 2014, and we will greatly miss him.
John was born in 1974, born of Busense Masaka. He was an animal specialist, and trained in many skills including tropical agriculture, construction and electrical work. He served as Farm Manager at St. Jude Family Project Masaka for 5 years before joining BLI. The staff and Caretakers remember John as an exemplary leader, a mentor to others, with youthful energy. He was a soft-spoken, hard working man who loved the animals and was excited to be a part of the BLI project.
John is survived by his wife and two daughters. He was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Masaka. Fathers Cornelius, Tony and Cosmas celebrated the mass at his funeral, with all BLI staff in attendance. The staff house has been named “The Ssembatya House” in his memory.