By Diamond Lalani
A significant part of my story starts in 1929, the year in which my father Habib Rahemtulla Lalani who was born in India, migrated to Uganda at the age of 19, settling in Masaka. My mother Sherbanu Nanji Amlani was born in Masaka in 1916 after her parents with two infants had migrated from India (Gujarat and Mumbai) in 1910.
According to my parents, their destiny was an arranged marriage in 1934. After briefly living in a small town called Kalisizo until 1937, they moved to the small village of Bukoto (10 miles from Masaka), to start a business. Eventually they resettled in Masaka, with businesses and properties. I was born (7th of 12 siblings) in Bukoto, early in the morning of the 1st anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee of Sir Sultan Muhamed Shah Aga Khan, the 48th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims – and hence was named Diamond.
Diamond Lalani in Canada (2020)
I have been blessed with a large and united family. I grew up learning a lot from my parents, who worked extremely hard to give us all a good quality life and education. I have also been inspired by my older siblings who did not have the privilege of acquiring secondary and/or higher education and because of their sacrifices, we younger siblings were able to benefit and acquire post-secondary education. Today, what I have achieved in life is due to their sacrifices and support.
Early years in Bukoto and Masaka (pre-1996)
Growing up in Bukoto and then in Masaka was amazing. Our lives were filled with fun and adventure living in a multicultural environment, learning, and experiencing multiple languages, religions, and traditions. My schooling started at the Aga Khan Primary School in Masaka.
From the age of 13, I had a strong interest and would spend all my free time in sports and other activities such as venturing in the forests, scouting, and volunteering for community services as well as frequently going to Bukoto to help in our shop. All these gave me fundamental experiences at a very young age.
Although I always had an interest in and aspired to become a Chartered Accountant (CA), I also enjoyed math and science and during my final years at Masaka Secondary School, where I completed my O-Level, I was expected to pursue and complete my A-Level at a high school, which was not possible in Masaka. So, we all applied to schools outside Masaka, mainly in Kampala.
High school years in Kampala (1966-67)
I joined Old Kampala Senior Secondary School. My move to Kampala was my first ever experience of living away from home, which meant I had to look for a new residence. On my first day in Form 5, I met Zul Devji from Jinja, who was also looking for a place to reside. We commenced a good friendship. We started off as paying guests and then moved into the Aga Khan Boys Hostel where we were elected to the Aga Khan Boys Hostel Students Council (Photo: 1967 Aga Khan Boys Hostel Students Council). We learnt many new things including how to address and solve students’ issues as well as how to play basketball which I picked up quite fast. I was very active in school and was appointed class prefect. I also represented the school in badminton and volleyball, and started basketball, becoming the first team captain. Upon completion of A-Level, I became a teacher at my former secondary school in Masaka from January to June (Photo: 1968 Masaka Secondary School Teachers). I taught science and math to the upper secondary classes and was also in charge of sports. It was also an opportunity to live at home again and start a new town basketball team, which I also captained, and led to some victories. These unique experiences were priceless.
While I was continuously thinking about becoming a CA, the expectations and pressure of pursuing and completing post-secondary education locally, were also mounting. My friends and I therefore submitted our applications for Makerere University. Although I had already made all necessary arrangements to go to the UK to article with a CA firm, I ended up making a crucial and wise decision to join Makerere University to pursue a degree in science (math, physics and chemistry), making this the first real turning point in my life.
There were many reasons for my decision to join the university. First, I believed in keeping all career doors open. Secondly, a science degree required in-person attendance in university. I also realized that forgoing a science degree could result in the loss of future opportunities or interests. The fourth reason was that I knew becoming a CA could be pursued later and science would add weight. Finally, I wanted the privilege of graduating from a prestigious university.
Makerere University (1968-71)
I did end up receiving admission at Makerere University. My first task after that was to acquire a Ugandan passport as proof of citizenship. I therefore applied for a passport with my full name Diamondali Habib Rahemtulla Lalani only to find out that Lalani became truncated due to space limitations in the name section of my Ugandan passport, hence my Makerere University registration was under Rahemtulla as my last name.
Diamond's ID of Livingstone Hall
My first day at the University was at Livingstone Hall where I met my roommate Anwar Najak who was from Soroti, for the first time. He introduced me to delicious Indian food (nasto) that he had brought from home. Our friendship started with a bang. Life as a freshman on campus, with its ups and downs, was a new experience with new learnings. I had long hair which I was proud to show off. However, it became a target for senior students who were planning their initiation rites. Once we became aware of that, we started becoming cautious. Some of the leaders among the seniors were residents of Livingstone Hall and so I made friends with them and was able to plead that my hair was not cut.
Student politics at Makerere University was vibrant. I very much enjoyed the discussions and debates, and right from the start participated fully. My name Rahemtulla together with fluency in Luganda gave me the needed popularity to be elected as Member of the Guild Representative Council (GRC), representing Livingstone Hall. Involvement in student politics and sports, and networking, resulted in my involvement in various committees and appointments as business manager on the editorial boards of both the famous Makererean newspaper and the first Panoramic Makerere magazine that was launched for the inauguration of Makerere University in 1970.
Social life on campus was also unique, with a lot of freedom on one hand including late nights, but constant reminders of assignments and early morning lectures on the other hand. Achieving a proper balance was always challenging, as our lifestyle had taken a 180-degree turn from our pre-Makerere life. Opportunities for social interactions were plentiful - during meals and free time at halls of residence, in classrooms, at sporting, political and other events. Living in this multicultural environment, we learned to understand and appreciate our differences and backgrounds. I ended up learning two new languages, Swahili and Katchi, an Indo-Aryan language spoken in parts of India and Pakistan.
1970 Trip to Murchison Falls.
Periodic trips to various places such as the Murchison Falls and its game park, Masaka, Kisumu, and the Queen Elizabeth National Park, were great opportunities to not only have fun and explore places that we wouldn’t have otherwise visited on our own, but to also showcase talents in organizing, sports and singing. Also, playing cards in our halls of residence late in the night helped relieve stress. Other unique adventures included the annual walk race of 22 miles from Entebbe to Makerere University with the full satisfaction of just completing the race each time.
University life also came with multiple responsibilities including prudence in spending and financial management (I had a part-time teaching job at a secondary school), academic achievements and excellence, and decision-making. I also enjoyed life on the most beautiful campus, in a pluralistic environment, respecting diversity. My deepest academic satisfaction came with the completion of Bachelor of Science Honors in Math and Chemistry and then winning a scholarship from the East African Community for a Post-Graduate degree in Meteorology at the University of Nairobi. The three years at Makerere University were easily defined as the best years of my life, at that time, with so many memories and lifelong friendships made.
In 1971, I was also part of the first batch of graduates to receive my degree from then President Idi Amin, in a grand colonial style ceremony, also a first for Makerere as a university, followed by grand celebrations late into the night.
Diamond receives his Makerere University Degree from President Idi Amin in 1971
University of Nairobi and East African Community
Although my aspiration was still to become a CA, and I had already successfully achieved the goal for university education in math and science, there was a second turning point in my life. I was one of two Ugandans (out of 700) to be selected by the then East African Community to pursue a career in meteorology (this came with a job).
In 1972, after successful completion of the Post-Graduate Honors Diploma in Meteorology at University of Nairobi, as well as the World Meteorological Organization Practicum Certification Program, I continued my career with the East African Meteorological Department, as Class I Meteorologist, and taught at the University of Nairobi. I remained very active in sports, played squash regularly, and represented the university basketball team, as well as Aga Khan Sports Club soccer and volleyball teams.
I met Gulshan, my wife, at the club, where she also represented badminton and basketball teams. Gulshan had already climbed the famous Mt Kilimanjaro, was Kenya Open Women’s Doubles runner-up in badminton, was a member of the first Ismaili Women’s basketball team, and was also very engaged in community volunteering and various high profile charity events. I was appointed the coach for the women’s basketball team and so with common interests, our destiny together became charted and defined, a third turning point in my life.
In 1972, during the time of uncertainties in East Africa, both Gulshan and I participated in very special mulaqats (meetings) with His Highness the Aga Khan, during His visit to Nairobi. This was indeed a unique opportunity for both of us. Students were blessed with His guidance on education and careers.
A few months later, I had to return to Uganda for my citizenship registration for a special ID (Kipande) and first visited my family in Masaka. We took family photos not knowing that they would be our last in Uganda. After a few days, we drove to Kampala and amid all the chaos and insecurity, I remained there, seeing off family members leave Uganda one by one.
During that time, one evening, while driving to Makerere University to meet my brother Zuli Lalani, I was stopped and attacked by three heavily armed men. They pulled me out of my car and held me at gunpoint. They pushed me so hard with the machine gun that I fell heavily on my back (fortunately on grass) while they took off with my car and wallet. I was so shaken up that I could not even get up for a few minutes. I miraculously survived and was blessed with a new life!
Makerere University Students Protest and March to Parliament in 1970
Canada: Toronto and Ottawa
In 1974, we moved to Toronto, Canada where our family settled and started new life. I could not secure a job in meteorology in Toronto as the key employer at that time was the Federal Government, and I was not a Canadian citizen yet. I was finally offered one in meteorology, but in the north, as an exception, due to shortages. However, it was not easy to accept that job offer because we had to support our family in Toronto. I reverted to searching for a job in chemistry and math which was also hard to secure. I struggled to find a job, so I decided to take up any job and landed my first job in Canada with the Ontario Motor League (CAA). After six months of continued pursuit, I landed a job with BDH Chemicals in Toronto in the Manufacturing and Packaging Chemical Solutions department. Eight months later, after York University in Toronto, Canada certified my Makerere University degree as the equivalent of a Canadian degree, I was promoted to the position of Chemical Analyst.
Diamond at a Makerere University Chemistry Laboratory in 1970
1975 was a very lucky year as we were blessed with our first daughter Zaibin who became the first Canadian born in the family; we had already bought our first new car and Gulshan had secured a great job in a well-established beauty salon. We were able to purchase our first new house in 1976 and started to steadily settle down in Toronto.
In 1977, I learnt from a friend from Makerere University, Salmin Pardhan about a special business programme, at the University of Windsor, designed for those who already had a degree. I applied based on my Makerere University degree and received admission, secured a student loan, enrolled and started the programme in January 1978 (another turning point in my life!) I worked extremely hard, achieved excellent results, and acquired a Bachelor of Commerce Honors degree in April 1979.
While still at the university, I received attractive job offers from CA firms in Toronto but decided to join the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of Canada, which had implemented a comprehensive auditing program and provided an opportunity for utilizing all my educational background and experiences. Thus, Ottawa became our new destination in 1979 which was also a very lucky year, as we were blessed with our second daughter Zahra. Both our daughters grew up and successfully completed high school in Ottawa.
I was privileged to be appointed on the Ottawa ITREB Committee (1979-86), Ottawa Administrative Committee (1986-90), Aga Khan Council for Ontario (1990-93), and Aga Khan Grants and Review Board for Canada and International (2000-05), as well as to serve as Chairman of Ottawa Administrative Committee and Chairman of OAG Employment Equity Committee. I was honored with the Queen’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Award (2003), the Governor General 125 Years of Canadian Confederation Award (1994), and the Nomination for Canada Citizenship Citation (1994) in recognition of my voluntary contributions. Since 1990, I had also been back to Uganda several times, and each time, visited the Makerere University campus and reconnected with some of the alumni then in senior government positions and delivered training at OAG Kenya.
Diamond facilitating a training for the Office of the Auditor General in Kampala, Uganda (2009)
My 28-year professional career (1979-2007) with OAG Canada that included leadership roles in auditing practice, technology in auditing, professional development, employment equity, and serving as a member of the first Board of the National Council of Visible Minorities in the Canadian Federal Public Service, was very fulfilling and rewarding. Meanwhile, Gulshan had pursued a career in esthetics, and operated family businesses. Our daughters Zaibin pursued and obtained a Degree in Pharmacy and Zahra pursued and became a Chartered Accountant.
International work with Aga Khan Development Network (2008-21)
In 2008, I was blessed with the most wonderful Time and Knowledge (TKN) opportunity for Consulting and Internal Audit, and served three Agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN): Aga Khan Trust for Culture (8 years), Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi (19 months) and University of Central Asia (8 months), promoting and enhancing best practices in governance and management and capacity building.
For the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, I established, operationalized and led the Internal Audit Function with the implementation of management audits, implemented compliance management mechanisms, and formalized risk management practice. For the University of Central Asia, I established and operationalized the Internal Audit Function with the implementation of management audits and provided guidance and support to the Head of Internal Audit. For the Aga Khan University Hospital Nairobi, I coordinated the completion of the acquisition and merger and managed the operation of the newly acquired Radiology Diagnostic Centres that involved integration of systems, processes, and standards, staffing, capacity building, and business planning.
Diamond, with His Highness the Aga Khan in Canada-Vancouver.
During this period, I also had the privilege to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the Management Board of the Ismaili Centre Dubai and as Member of the Ismaili Leaders International Forum’s Global Core Team for Quality of Life for Elderly providing international training in 5 countries and representing UAE Council for demographics and Retirement Planning workshops in GCC countries. I also developed and delivered a Train-The-Trainer program in auditing for the OAG Uganda.
Canada: Calgary (2016-Present)
Both our daughters who had initially settled with jobs in Toronto, until their own destinies changed, have resettled with their own families, in Calgary, and therefore, in 2016, we also resettled in Calgary, rejoining our family including grandchildren. This time my contributions to AKDN were solely to the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, as Head of Internal Audit and Consulting, promoting and strengthening best practices. I also continued additional voluntary services as Member of the Board of Directors as well as Chairman of the Governance Committee for the SOS Children’s Villages Canada, Member of the Board of Directors for Spark of Hope, and as Ismaili Volunteer.
This undertaking of 14 years (2008-2021) with AKDN, post-retirement from my career with the OAG of Canada, has been truly priceless; it has not only provided me with ongoing professional development and personal growth, but has also been a life-changing experience for me and my family, which cannot be sufficiently and expressly described in words. This extraordinary opportunity was indeed a blessing for me and my family, and I am very grateful to the leadership of AKDN and Jamati Institutions including the TKN Central Office, and everyone including the other TKN volunteers whom I had recruited and with whom I have worked and interacted.
Despite much hard work, and at times struggles with challenges, my life journey to date has been exceptional, wonderful, and full of happiness through achievements, learnings, experiences, diversities, and great memories, as well as many friendships.
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