By Carol Kasujja

The family employed a gateman; but Juvenal Nsenga was accustomed to opening the gate for his wife whenever he happened to be home and his wife drove in late.

It was the umpteenth time he had opened the gate for her in their 18 years of marriage. Last week, during the performance of his routine task, Juvenal was run over by his wife’s car.

During a requiem mass at a fully packed Christ the King Church in Kampala, led by father Eustachio Lwemalika, friends and relatives described Nsenga as a humble, welcoming, tolerant, exemplary, low profile, generous man who never wanted to see anyone in a poor condition.

“He was a welcoming, caring and down to earth man that is why he died while opening a gate for his wife. My brother respected people. He used to smoke but he never even smoked in his own house because he wanted everyone to feel at home,” said his younger brother Innocent Kananura.

His widow Jackie Nsenga was inconsolable. She described her late husband as a loving man.

“I stand before you today thanking God for the gift of my husband and children. This is the most difficult moment in my life. I thank God for the 18years of my marriage and the two children he blessed us with. I thank my in-laws for being there for me. It is not easy for me to stand before you, but believe me this is the cross I have to carry for the rest of my life,” Jackie Nsenga said.

“Nsenga, was not only a husband, he was a father to my children, a son to my in-laws, friend to many and a pillar of the family. Jade and Jamin, I know how it feels to grow up without a father but I am sorry.”

“I would never have wanted to put you through this situation. Some of you might not believe that it was an accident but God who sees everywhere knows that I could not have done this to the father of my children. When I was driving him to hospital, I kept on telling him to forgive me and he said it was okay. My husband, I will miss you. It will not be easy without you. May the Lord rest you in peace till we meet again.”

Nsenga was not only a wealthy business man; he was a good father that every child admired to have. “Most of you knew him as Nsenga but I knew him as Dad. My father was a generous person, no one came to our house and left hungry. Dad never took people for granted. He associated with everyone.

He wanted to see everyone happy. It was very hard to see dad with an angry face even if he had problems. He always had a smile on his face,” said Jamin his second daughter.

“Jackie, I know it is hurting and painful but I am not angry with you and I have promised myself not to judge you. I know it was an accident,” said Nsenga’s sister.

Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s friends Bob Kabonero, described Nsenga as a unique person and a special blessing, whose departure will no doubt leave a vacuum that, can never be filled. “It is Nsenga who taught me business at Kigezi High. My origin is of cattle keepers but he taught me how to do business. He was very honest and loyal to his friends.”

Who was Nsenga?

Nsenga was born on 14th February in1965 in Butagota Kihihi to Donati and Phoebe Kananura. He studied at Kyeshero primary school, Mbarara Junior, Kisubi College and Kigezi High. Nsenga is survived by a wife and three children.

Nsenga has been an accomplished businessman in Uganda’s transport industry, with one of the biggest transport contracts with the World Food Program (WFP). He owned a big fleet of trailer trucks.

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