Tribute: Cerinah Nebanda 1988 - 2012

By Moses Bikala

By the time she was elected as Woman MP for Butaleja district, Cerinah Nebanda(RIP) was among the youngest Members of Parliament in the Ninth Parliament.

Her death has shocked many across the country, but most especially her supporters in Butaleja.

At the age of 22, Nebanda ousted NRM strongwoman, Dorothy Hyuha, who also doubled as the minister without portfolio and NRM deputy party secretary general. This marked her rise to fame as many saw her as a tough young legislator.true

In the past year alone, Nebanda had constructed three secondary schools using her own funds to help cater for the education of the disadvantaged children in the district.

She also helped women groups, availed a modern canoe to help people cross over to the neighbouring Pallisa district, constructed the only petrol station in Butaleja and a modern hotel.

Last week, at Malangah Primary School, Nebanda promised to offer assistance to over 200 more disadvantaged children in the district. This was to be in fulfilment of her campaign pledge.

Nebanda was the last born in a family of six children. She was daughter to business tycoon Fred Mukasa and Alice Mukasa who works in the internal affairs ministry.

Nebanda went to St. Johns Education Centre in Entebbe, before joining Katikamu SDA for her secondary education. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in social science at Makerere University, which she completed in 2010.

Nebanda has been operating several businesses in Butaleja, where she employed many youth. They include fuel stations, two hotels, salons and a modern discotheque.

She was a jolly person who loved making friends and cracking jokes. She loved listening to hip hop music, her favourite local artiste being GNL Zamba.

The news of her death has sparked off mixed reactions from members of the public.

Henry Muloki, one of the cultural leaders of the Bahinga clan in Mazimansa sub-county, could not hold back his tears. He said the district had lost an irreplaceable legislator. “We have had leaders before, but no one could represent us in Parliament like her,” he said.

The Member of Parliament for Bunyole West, Jacob Wangolo, said he was shocked by the news. Wangolo said he had spoken to the legislator almost three hours before news of her death reached him. The two legislators were close friends and had planned to jointly fundraise for the construction of a school block in Mazimansa sub-county.

Bunyole East MP Emmanuel Dombo described Nebanda as a bright, brave, down to earth and developmental person despite being a young legislator.

May her soul rest in eternal peace.