In memory of Ta mwalimu Augustine Kalemera, the Father of Kiroyera Tours

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ta mwalimu Augustine Kalemera, who has been a pillar of support to Kiroyera Tours from its humble beginnings.

When Mary and her sisters opened Kiroyera Tours in 2002, their father offered first hand operational knowledge, skills and experience, putting together the office management plan, files, accounts and personnel recruitment schedule for this new family business. During the following years he remained a constant mentor and guide to Mary and everyone who worked within the company.

Ta mwalimu (as he was fondly called, meaning ‘the teacher’) had extensive geographical knowledge of the Kagera region and many other areas of Tanzania which he shared regularly with employees and clients alike. In his life as a civil servant, first as a teacher and then a community development officer, he was transferred to many areas helping to establish community development colleges. It was through this work that he inspired Kiroyera to work with orphanages in the Bukoba Heritage Initiative and to work with the Bukoba Disabled Assistance Project (BUDAP).

Mzee (old man) Augustine passed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 87 on 27 May 2016. His knowledge, compassion, energy and love for the people, cultures and wildlife of Kagera and Tanzania will be much missed. His legacy will live on in the spirit and service ethic’s of Kiroyera Tours.