By John Noronha (Makerere University, 1968-71)

I was born on April 20th, 1950, in Uganda, the youngest of four children. My parents, Joseph and Dorothy Noronha, were originally from Goa, India. My family’s story is deeply rooted in the history of East Africa, but it all starts with my grandparents.

My paternal grandfather, John Manuel Noronha, migrated from Goa to Zanzibar in 1901. A respected veterinarian, he became known as “The Grand Old Man of Zanzibar.” After retiring from government service in 1928, he remained on the island until his death in 1943.

John, with his wife, Gladys in 2021

My father, born in 1905, lost his mother early and was sent to boarding school in Goa. In 1940, he married my mother, Dorothy D’mello, in Goa. After relocating to Kampala in 1947, he worked as the chief accountant for the Uganda Transport Company before opening a dairy business in 1956, which he operated until 1971. His determination to provide a good education for us was unwavering. After the 1972 expulsion of Indians from Uganda, he moved to Canada, where he worked until retirement, later spending his last years in Goa, where I had the honour of burying him in 1992.

On my mother's side, my grandfather, Luis D’mello, was a pharmacist recruited by the British government to work in Uganda in 1925. After retiring in 1947, he returned to Goa. My mother, an accomplished teacher and musician, worked in several schools in Uganda. She passed away in 1964 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of love for both education and the arts.

Growing up with three older sisters, I was always the “baby brother.” Their academic achievements were a constant source of inspiration. Philomena, the eldest, earned an MBE in 2005 and a Papal Award in 2008, which accolades the whole family was extremely proud of.

I started school in 1954 at Aga Khan Primary School, where my mother taught, and later moved to Norman Godinho Primary School. In 1962, I joined Kololo Secondary School, where I completed my Cambridge O’ Levels in 1965 and A’ Levels in 1967. Despite the challenges of balancing school and helping my father with his dairy business, my focus remained on gaining entry to Makerere University—the ultimate goal.

Makerere days: The Northcote spirit and lifelong friendships

Having some sense of Makerere’s dynamics, I was absolutely determined to be part of the legendary Northcote Hall. I vividly remember June 23rd, 1968, when my dad dropped me off at the gates of Northcote. The one and only Hugh Dinwiddy welcomed us with a smile that still warms my soul today. I was thrilled to be joined by Thomas Francis, Austin Pereira, and Trevor Pereira, who had been my primary school classmates.

John riding the Northcote tractor in 1969

Later that evening, the four of us knocked on the door of the late Clarence Fernandes at New Hall (now Nkrumah Hall) and made our way to Kanubhai Patel’s canteen, where we knocked back a couple of beers. That night, we met Abji, whose father had been our landlord years earlier, and a spontaneous trip to the ‘Box’ (Mary Stuart Hall) followed. Suffice it to say, we all slept well that night. And thus began my four-year adventure at Makerere.

I enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program, choosing Geography, History, and Political Science in my first year. I quickly realized the power of my voice and the attention it commanded. This worked out perfectly for Northcote Hall, where the spirit was “supreme.” Before long, the seat at the front of the Northcote Tractor was mine! Seniors like Firoz Tejani, Amin Pirani, Vincent Bichampaka, Prosper Mtey, Azad Lalani, Sev Obura, Iftikar Sheikh, Rehman Hajee, and Felix Fernandes encouraged me.

John relaxing by the Makerere University swimming pool in 1968

It was also a time to meet and mingle with new faces—Timmy Esmail, Yusuf Karbani, Salmin Pradhan, the late Arvind Jansari, Sam Walusimbi, Diamond Lakhani, Tim Wani, Tariq Kindy, Diamond Lalani, Zul Devji, Nazira Dossa, Almas Kanani, Freda Lule, and Eve Mulira, to name a few. The highlight of that year was the trip for the annual East African University Games in Dar es Salaam. As they say, “what happens on trips stays on trips,” but the memories are unforgettable.

Thankfully, I sailed through my first year and was allowed to join the Honours program in Geography for second and third year. In 1969-70, the first Makerere Goan Association was formed. That year, we organized a variety program at Makerere Main Hall, which was a hit. I had the privilege of starring as a lead character in a play produced by the late Dr. Monica Lobo (Castelino).

The Northcote swimming champions in 1969

The University games in Nairobi that year were another memorable experience. However, I took a part-time job teaching at a nearby private high school, which severely impacted my attendance at lectures. I ended up on the “hot” list to be expelled, but thanks to Professor Bryan Langlands, the head of the department, who listened to my plea and gave me a second chance, I managed to turn things around. I did not disappoint and surprised the rather sceptical faculty by attaining my Honours degree in March of 1971.

Teaching, music, and an unexpected farewell

I then completed the Post-Graduate Diploma in Education, fulfilling my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. Around the same time, I put my voice to use in a local pop band called the Beat Route, alongside fellow Northcoters Peter Fernandes and the late Polly Moraes. I also began teaching at a remote boarding high school in Bukumi, where I was appointed head of the Geography department.

But as fate would have it, President Idi Amin had other plans. On October 6th, 1972, Peter Fernandes and I, along with 144 other Ugandan Asians, boarded the 5th Canadian Government evacuation flight to Montreal. Sadly, my siblings and father headed to other shores. That marked the end of my short-lived teaching career.

A new chapter in Canada – Love, career, and community

On my third day in Canada, standing in line at the YMCA in Montreal, I saw the young lady who would become my wife. Gladys had arrived from Uganda on Flight Number 2 and, like most refugees, was staying at the YMCA. We began dating on October 21, 1972, and married on September 21, 1974.

John and Gladys celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in Toronto, Canada

I had known Gladys D’Mello in Uganda—she was a few years behind me in school—but we never really spoke. She quickly found a job with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), and after we married, we moved to Toronto.

While I earned high school teaching licenses in Quebec and Ontario, fate led me to the financial services industry. After a few years with a finance company, I joined RBC in March 1976, where I spent 40 years and three days before retiring on March 31, 2016. My career took me from consumer loans to commercial, corporate, and real estate banking. I later managed corporate recruitment, led service delivery changes in commercial banking, and eventually returned to frontline management. I retired as Vice President, Commercial Banking, overseeing the construction, real estate, and property management sector for the Greater Toronto Area.

John, together with his family on the day he retired after working with the Royal Bank of Canada for 40 years

For a shy, awkward lad from Kampala, my career was more fulfilling than I could have imagined. I had the privilege of working with and learning from thousands of incredible people. RBC was an outstanding employer, and I consider myself blessed to have been part of it.

Gladys and I have been blessed with two wonderful children. Our daughter, Tamara, was born in 1978. She initially joined RBC but later pursued a calling in nursing. She got married to Rob Morton and they moved to Calgary, where she works for Alberta Health. They have a seven year-old son, Alex, who is the highlight of our lives. His current obsession is fast cars—replacing an earlier fascination with dinosaurs and sharks!

Fourteen years later, in 1992, we were blessed with a son, Aaron. Being older parents, we decided that one of us should stay home, and Gladys took on that honourable responsibility, especially as my job involved national travel. Our lives revolved around hockey rinks, soccer practices, and birthday parties. Today, Aaron is 29, a McGill University graduate, and works at a fintech company in Toronto. He keeps us engaged with discussions beyond the eternal question: when will the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup?

John hosts the Makerere alumni community at his home in Toronto (2018)

Giving back to the community has always been important to us. In the 1980s and ’90s, I was actively involved in the Goan community in Toronto, serving as president of the Toronto Goan Association from 1989 to 1991. This association, which grew significantly after the 1972 expulsion, recently acquired a community centre in Brampton, fulfilling a 50-year-old dream.

Our Catholic faith has also been central to our lives. From 1985 to 2018, Gladys and I volunteered in our parish’s marriage preparation program, guiding over 1,200 couples on communication, conflict resolution, parenting, and finances. This experience not only enriched others but also strengthened our own relationship.

Music entered my life by chance. I sang for a band in Kampala just before the expulsion, but settling in Canada took priority. I played field hockey for about 10 years, but in 1985, I was invited to sing for a local dance band, which I did for three years. Later, I joined our church’s senior choir, where I’ve served for 15 years.

Reflections on Life, Legacy, and Looking Ahead

With no direct family in Toronto, travel has played a big role in our lives. We’ve visited family in Brisbane, the UK, Calgary, and Vancouver, strengthening ties among the next generation. We’ve also visited Southeast Asia, India, Europe, New Zealand, and Fiji.

A particularly special trip was our return to Uganda in 2012 after 40 years. Visiting old haunts, including Room 124 at what was once Northcote Hall, was incredibly moving. We reunited with friends who welcomed us as if no time had passed. That trip also took us to Tanzania’s game parks and the island of Zanzibar—our first visit.

John Noronha meets his old boys, Eddie Sempebwa & Sam Walusimbi on his return to Uganda in 2012

Retirement has given me the freedom to explore new interests—golf, writing, organizing reunions, collecting memorabilia, reading history, and following financial markets. Above all, I am grateful for the guidance of family, friends, and the Almighty. As I reflect, I am reminded of these words from His Highness the Aga Khan IV, the late Prince Karim Al-Husseini:

“There are those … who enter the world in such poverty that they are deprived of both the means and the motivation to improve their lot. Unless these unfortunates can be touched with the spark of individual enterprise and determination, they will only sink back into renewed apathy, degradation and despair. It is for us, who are more fortunate, to provide that spark.”