Mukandori, a beam of hope switched off

Jun 03, 2008

SIMPLICITY was written all over her; generosity her persona and humility her trademark. Rose Mukandori epitomised all virtues of a modest teacher.

By Joel Ogwang

SIMPLICITY was written all over her; generosity her persona and humility her trademark. Rose Mukandori epitomised all virtues of a modest teacher.

“She knew her students well and took steps to cure their problems,” says Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, the Prime Minister. In and out of class, she gave them inspiration and hope that life was not inert - it could change for the better.

At her weakest moments, Mukandori’s whole body ached. It was weak, but her spirit was alive. “I will not die, she told me,” says Joy Kekinaana, a friend.

Mukandori hoped to see the next morning, but it was not to be when death struck.

“Jesus my Lord, give me more time...,” were Mukandori’s last words - she had seen that invisible monster - death.

At 9:00am on May 24, the curtains fell on her simple life. By taking Mukandori, death robbed Uganda of a selfless servant, winding-up an illustrious 39-year-long teaching career.

She followed Elieza Habyara, her husband, who died during the 1994 Rwanda genocide.

Such was her love for Uganda that she asked to be buried in Mukono. And at 2:12pm on May 27, Mukandori was laid to rest at her home in Dandira village. Nsibambi was the main speaker, representing President Yoweri Museveni.

Mukandori was born to Isaiah and Agnes Sindigaya 1943 in Kirwa, Rwanda. The first child in a family of seven (two still living), she went to Kigama Junior School (1951-1958), obtaining a Junior Certificate of Education.

Upon accepting Jesus as her saviour (aged 14) in 1958, she moved to Uganda. Skeeper, a missionary, brought her to Uganda.

Mukandori joined Lady Irene College, Ndejje, in 1959 and got a Grade Two teachers’ certificate in 1964. Studying by correspondence, Mukandori obtained an East African Certificate of Education (1967-1969). From 1975 to 1976, she went to Buwalasi Teachers’ College, acquiring a Grade III certificate.

In 1965, Mukandori started what would be an illustrious teaching career. After three years as a classroom teacher, Mukandori was appointed Gayaza Junior’s deputy headteacher (1968-1972). In 1973, she was elevated to a (Grade II) headteacher, a position she held till 1976.

In 1978, she was designated acting headteacher of Mengo Primary School for a year. She was promoted to headteacher, a position she held for 17 years (1980-1997).

Mukandori was transferred to Buganda Road P.S as headteacher in1998. This was her final posting, before she retired in 2004. She then took-up a new life as an evangelist.

Mukandori was born a leader. She was a prefect, athletics captain, Mathematics Club chairperson and later a head girl in primary and junior secondary school.

At Ndejje and Buwalasi, she was deputy head girl, chairperson of the Maths, Physics and Scripture Union and finance minister.

In 1997, she was awarded an Intermediate Certificate in English for Advanced Commun-ication Skills at Makerere University.

Mukandori was full of ‘life’, mourners said. She inspired many young people, encouraging them to be serious with salvation. “She taught me never to seek revenge, while we were at Gayaza Junior School,” says Dr. Robinah Kyeyune, a friend. “I later taught her Communication Skills at Mengo Primary School.”

Death is an obligation a path we will all follow, but what legacies do we leave behind?

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