Daughters of Charity founder dies at 74

Oct 08, 2009

CATHOLIC Sister Rose Muyinza, commonly referred to as the Ugandan Mother Theresa, died earlier this week, aged 74. Sr. Muyinza had been bed-ridden for the last four years with Alzheimer and diabetes.

By Anne Mugisa

CATHOLIC Sister Rose Muyinza, commonly referred to as the Ugandan Mother Theresa, died earlier this week, aged 74. Sr. Muyinza had been bed-ridden for the last four years with Alzheimer and diabetes.

She was admitted to Nsambya Hospital two weeks ago where she passed away on Tuesday morning.
Hundreds filled Christ the King Church in Kampala on Wednesday to mourn her.

“She knocked at all doors to get help for the children. We should take a lesson from her,” said Monsignor Charles Kasibante who led the prayers.

The sister, who abandoned a lucrative Bank of Uganda job in 1971 to care for neglected children, belonged to the Little Sisters of St. Francis.

Different mourners in moving eulogies described her life as one of sacrifices.
She gave up everything she had, to the extent of sleeping on a mat on the floor, so that she could care for one more, needy child.

“She remained poor throughout her life and slept on the floor and gave a mattress to a neighbour who did not have one,” said the board chairman of the Daughters of Charity, Leo Kibirango.
“She wore one uniform and used very simple beddings with a tattered blanket because she donated the good ones to the children. She was like Sr. Theresa of Calcutta.”

The First Lady, Janet Museveni, in her eulogy called Sr. Muyinza’s life exemplary. The Government and the first family were among the benefactors of the sister’s homes, which also had donors in the US and the UK.

Sister Muyinza was born in Seeta on April 21, 1935. She went to school in Nkokonjeru Little Sisters of St. Francis before joining Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga for secondary education. She then went to Makerere University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education.

She started the Daughters of Charity in 1971 to provide for orphaned, poor and homeless girls. By the time of her death, she had opened three children’s homes for both boys and girls.

Regardless of tribe or faith, people with disabilities and abandoned children found refuge at Sr. Muyinza’s charity homes. She also started a dance troupe for the children.

She was buried Wednesday evening at one of the homes at Kiwanda in Mukono.
In her Will she asked the Kampala Archdiocese to take over the homes.

Currently the three homes have over 500 children. Besides the Kiwanda home, there is St. Michael Home in Nsambya and Sabena in Rakai.

Thousands have been cared for by Sr. Muyinza, with many of them becoming doctors, teachers, civil servants and priests, including the Rev. Fr. John Kerunga who is currently in Tanzania for further studies.

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