Death is a robber, regardless of whether it is an infant or a centurion. That said, there are deaths that will leave you in shock.
Shock is what I felt when I woke up to the news that Alex Ssempijja, one of the children who featured in music star Eddie Kenzo's video Sitya Loss. Alex didn't have a big name individually, maybe among his peers. But he enjoyed fame as one of the children in the internationally acclaimed video.
As the video gained prominence, casting Kenzo into international limelight, the star light shone on the children as well. They not only started making money on their own, but also appeared on various media platforms including The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
One of the Sitya Loss Youtube links has garnered more than 15 million views, and everyone knows the children's dance magic is part of that success.
Alex died so young. He didn't realise many of his dreams.
He was only 14.
Riding a bicycle with his friend Patricia Nabakooza in Makindye's Kizungu zone, he lost control and fell into a ditch, dying instantly. Patricia was badly injured and she is battling for her life at Case Clinic. Patricia, too, features in the video.
Long before Alex and friends became household names, I asked my colleague, Brenda, who was then editor for Rainbow Magazine, to follow up those children. I had seen them perform at the Children's Green Festival, organised by Joseph Masembe, at Kololo Airstrip.
I was awed.
Brenda had always featured talented children in the magazine, but when I told her about these children, she dragged her feet. I was surprised! Later, she made good when I drew her attention to the music video they featured in. That video turned out to be Sitya Loss, which went viral mid last year.
Brenda hunted for them, giving them a special edition on July 22, 2014. Each child was interviewed. Alex, then a Senior One student at Emirates College in Katwe, said, "I have made friends, money, met celebrities, and got travelling opportunities."
He was just starting to see the world. "I have been to Mbale and Jinja because of dancing," he added proudly.
There was a lot Alex dreamt of. He told our reporters Lawrence Ogwal and Arafat Ndugga that he wanted to either be "president" or an "accountant". He also admired "Wembley and Justine Bieber".
Fate had its own plans. Like Kenzo croons in Sitya Loss, Obulamu bwakiseera (life's short).
Alex is gone. May God bless his soul in eternal peace.
