Nsibambi Pays Glowing Tribute To His Wife

By Geoffrey Kamali PRIME Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi broke down after paying glowing tribute to his late wife, Rhoda, at Namirembe Cathedral, yesterday. “Rhoda weraba! (farewell to you, Rhoda),” he said with a trembling voice at the end of his 30 minute tribute. Rhoda, 62, died on Saturday evening, shortly after she was rushed to Namirembe Hospital with breathing complications. Doctors said she died of pulmonary thrombosis, caused by the clotting of blood in the lungs. Nsibambi said he met Rhoda while they were students at Makerere University and singers in the then Oxford Choir. He said she had since become his “political and social barometer. ” “That is why I value music so much. In fact, when someone was conducting music here, I felt a spark from her direction,” he said. The service presided over by Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo, was attended by First Lady Janet Museveni, Vice-President Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe and Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda. Others included the Chief Justice, Benjamin Odoki, his deputy, Laeticia Kikonyogo, the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, judges, ministers, church leaders, diplomats and MPs. Nsibambi said, “She always taught me about diplomacy. I’d say anything that came my way but she would guide me on what to say or not to say. In fact, I thought as a good diplomat, she would make a good ambassador or head of our diplomatic missions abroad.” He said they as a family would draw comfort from the fact that as a born again Christian, Rhoda had gone to be with God. The Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Mutebi, sent a condolence message. Others were finance minister Gerald Ssendaula, who is in Brussels and the East African Community secretary general, Amanya Mushega, in Arusha. Their eldest daughter, Mrs Rhoda Kasujja, in a moving tribute to her mother, said her parents were much in love and that she would try to emulate them in her own marriage. In his sermon, Nkoyooyo, quoting Ecclesiastics, Chapter 3, said there is time for everything and urged everyone to do the right thing at the right time. He encouraged Christians to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Mrs Nsibambi was associate professor at the time of her death and co-authored four books and other materials on the English language for secondary schools. Kazibwe said the Government would miss a professional who had accomplished much in the field of languages. She said she often marvelled at Rhoda’s dedication as a lecturer for over 30 years at Makerere University. Mrs. Museveni, quoting from 2 Timothy, said Rhoda was a person of high integrity and righteousness and that “God would reward her for her good deeds.” Other speakers included Joyce Male, the Gayaza High School headmistress, where Rhoda was headgirl in the 1950s. She said Rhoda stood for righteousness and always dreamed of doing good. Makerere University vice chancellor, Prof. John Ssebuwufu, said Rhoda worked with the university for over 30 years and that all she stood for had been accomplished. The funeral was interrupted by a heavy afternoon downpour, forcing mourners who were standing outside to squeeze into the church. Mrs Nsibambi’s body was buried at Kasero Church, Buloba, 11km on Mityana Road, next to the burial ground for Prof Nsibambi’s parents. Thousands of mourners flocked the burial ground located about half a kilometre from Buloba trading centre. Ends