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Several high-profile people have mourned the passing of Alice Owenjuye Opondo, mother of Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director of Uganda Media Centre.

Owenjuye passed away on Monday at Mukono General Hospital aged 85 years.

Mourners at the funeral service held in Ntinda earlier Wednesday included the speaker of parliament Anita Among, Deputy speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa, Minister of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Chris Baryomunsi, ministry, Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo the state minister for ICT, Dr. Amina Zawedde the permanent secretary of the ICT and NRM Electoral Commission boss Dr. Tanga Odoi among others.

Addressing the congregation, at St. Luke Church Ntinda, the speaker of Parliament Among hailed Owenjuye for playing what she described as a critical role in the lives of many different people.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among remarking during the requiem service of the late mother of Ofwono Opondo, Alice Owenjuye Opondo on May 8. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

She also commended the deceased for her unwavering nurturing and guidance for her children adding that she played a significant role in shaping Ofwono into the remarkable individual he is today. 

Among also praised Ofwono for consistently defending gov't amidst insults.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa who also attended the requiem mass lauded Opondo for being a purposeful and intentional servant of the people.

Thomas Tayebwa the deputy speaker of parliament laying his wreath during the requiem service of Ofwono Opondo’s late mother Alice Owenjuye Opondo on May 8. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

She commends Ofwono and his wife for nursing the mother regardless of the delicate needs of elderly people.

“The women out there, do not refer to these old women as your mothers-in-law, they are your mothers in love because they are the ones that produced for you your husbands. They might seem to be difficult but just accept them the way they are and live with them,” Among said.

At the same, Among defended Fox Odoi (MP of West Budama North East constituency) for openly expressing his stand on the anti-homosexuality bill despite being a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

“What Fox Odoi did was best for this country. He legitimized the debate and the act. He is NRM but he had to oppose within the party for the act to be legitimized and I want to thank you for that,” Among said. Odoi was among politicians from Tororo who attended the service.

Describing his mother as "my matriarch" Ofwono said that the deceased was a strong-willed person who held a firm grip on her family.

Ofwono Opondo looking on during the requiem service of his late mother Alice Owenjuye Opondo on May 8 at St. Luke Church. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

"She closely monitored my work and often guided me. You all know I'm one of the most consistent public servants who has served in the same position for many years. I am the third most consistent person in government after President Museveni and Hajji Kigongo. I have served for as long as the NRM government," he said, drawing applause from the mourners. 

During the requiem service, Rev Anthony Kamukama of St. Luke Church Ntinda revealed that Ofwono has always inspired him since he was a young boy.

Rev Anthony Kamukama of St. Luke Church Ntinda praying for Ofwono Opondo and his relatives. This was during the requiem service of their late mother Alice Owenjuye Opondo on May 8. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

He noted that the best gift a person can give to a friend is time adding that because time once lost can never be retrieved.

Alice Owenjuye Opondo's burial will be held on Saturday May 11^th at the family home in Mulanda, Tororo.