Mother’s Day-Tribute to the other mum
May 08, 2009
MENTION of mother’s day often brings images of appreciating the woman who bore the pain to give life. But there are women we do not think about, those who bear the challenges of bringing up children they have not birthed
MENTION of mother’s day often brings images of appreciating the woman who bore the pain to give life. But there are women we do not think about, those who bear the challenges of bringing up children they have not birthed:
Pastor Martin Ssempa, senior pastor, Makerere Community Church
I was raised by my mother, a primary school teacher, up to the age of 12. I spent the rest of my days under the care of my sister’s mother-in-law, Mamma Sanyu.
She was a loving lady. During the week, she was busy because she had restaurant. When I asked her for permission to go for discos and she refused, I would now I appreciate her strictness.
Many of my friends who used to go out during our teenage days have since passed on due to HIV/AIDS.
I missed the affection of my biological mother. I only visited her once in a while in Masaka district.
Dr. Alan Shonubi, president of the East Africa Law Society
My mother gave me the best; she loved and guided me and taught me how to save. By the time she died, I had a bank account and shares in some companies.
I was 13 when she passed on. I had a big and loving extended family on my mother’s side. Her closest sister, and my aunt, Mary Senkatunka, brought me up.
At first it was not easy adjusting to a different life after the death of my mom. As an only child, I had to adjust to a number of things such as living with a big family.
My aunt and mom shared values. I miss my mother, especially when I meet her former students — she was a teacher. Such moments flash back memories of my childhood under her care.
My aunt instilled in me values of hard work, honesty and focus. I will always remember the day she took me to the bank and asked me to sign for my own account
Helen Kawesa, public relations manager, Parliament
When I was about five, my late uncle, Mr. Mpanga, asked my parents to allow me live with his family. He had children who were my age. I lived there and loved it.
Though I lived away from home, my parents kept in touch. It was one big loving family, where we played and enjoyed our childhood.
I was among the three youngest children, so I was pampered. And even when my uncle died, my aunt Joyce Mpanga, kept us together, supported us and loved us.
My aunt emphasised discipline. We did the household chores together and sat as a family at meal time. She taught us to be honest and hard working. I would see my parents during the holidays.
At the age of six, my mother abandoned me at my grandparent’s home. She gave birth when she was very young — she had to move on with her life.
Eventually my aunt, Mrs. Kasumba, raised me. I still call her mum. She was a disciplinarian. If the sun set before I was home, I would be in trouble, but it helped me so much that even today, I am at home by 7:00pm.
We had to recite the rosary everyday under her watchful eye. I did not miss my biological parents much; you cannot miss what you did not enjoy. I grew up in a loving family.
Lydia Keturah Kamugisa, Vision Group Magazines Editor and fashion columnist
I was seven when I left my mum and went to live with my stepmothers Amooti and Akiiki. These, together with my grandmother, Mukaaka raised me.
Sometimes things did not go well, but life was interesting. My stepmothers loved and cared for us.
Akiiki, who was from Scotland, introduced me to fashion and reading. She brought me nice dresses and books.
Amooti also taught me how to cook, match and mix colours and how to design clothes. Mukaaka was my rock; she taught me to always respect my stepmothers, to pray about everything and be positive.
Sometimes I missed my mum and would become sad. I would lie on my bed and visualise her beautiful brown face, but that is all I could see. I imagined her cuddling and comforting me only to realize she was not around.
My stepmothers always told me that I was beautiful; this gave me a lot of confidence as I used to be shy.
I also learnt how to appreciate things people do for me. I am very grateful to them. I will always remember the ballet dancing sessions we used to have with my stepmothers at home.
Dr. Elizabeth Madraa, head of food and nutrition, health ministry
I was raised by my grandmother. My mum was a business lady and was never home. I lived with my grandmother and cousins.
Life with grandmother was interesting: She told us stories. We, the little children, used to share a bed with her and we fought to sleep closest to her. But she was a disciplinarian.
We fetched water and firewood before walking 10km to school every morning. We would go back home to grind millet. Failure to do so meant missing meals.
I did not miss my mother much, but I wished she had been around a lot more.
Simeo Nsubuga, chief security officer Kyambogo University
I was three years old when my mum died. She left me under the care of my grandmother, Mangadalena Nansamba. Living grandma was interesting.
She handled me with care, looked out for me and made sure I was safe. She never went to sleep until I was home. She was a staunch Catholic and since our home was close to the church, she always went with me.
She taught me to be careful when dealing with people and to leave room for doubt. I missed my mother many times, more so on specific occasions where her presence would have meant a lot to me such as when I got my first degree, when I passed out as a police officer, on my wedding day and when I got my second degree.
I am still indebted to my grandmother because she inspired me to work hard and instilled discipline into me. I owe much of my success to her.
David Bahati, MP Ndorwa County West, Kabale district
My parents died when I was aged three. I was taken up by my grandmother. She was caring. She walked several kilometers to and from the garden and sometimes brought me roasted sweet potatoes.
We lived in a grass-thatched house that leaked. My grandmother shared a bed with me until my P.2. She paid my school fees until she died when I was in P.6.
I struggled to raise my school fees by vending banana leaves. The time I shared with grandma is memorable. She taught me to share with others.
She was hard working, but I missed my biological parents’ love. When I was graduating at Makerere University, it was very emotional finding someone to escort me.
A parent’s position can never be substituted, but since I married and have children, I am finding solace and comfort in that gift which I believe was God’s plan.
Compiled by Stephen Ssenkaaba and Arthur Baguma
Pastor Martin Ssempa, senior pastor, Makerere Community Church
I was raised by my mother, a primary school teacher, up to the age of 12. I spent the rest of my days under the care of my sister’s mother-in-law, Mamma Sanyu.
She was a loving lady. During the week, she was busy because she had restaurant. When I asked her for permission to go for discos and she refused, I would now I appreciate her strictness.
Many of my friends who used to go out during our teenage days have since passed on due to HIV/AIDS.
I missed the affection of my biological mother. I only visited her once in a while in Masaka district.
Dr. Alan Shonubi, president of the East Africa Law Society
My mother gave me the best; she loved and guided me and taught me how to save. By the time she died, I had a bank account and shares in some companies.
I was 13 when she passed on. I had a big and loving extended family on my mother’s side. Her closest sister, and my aunt, Mary Senkatunka, brought me up.
At first it was not easy adjusting to a different life after the death of my mom. As an only child, I had to adjust to a number of things such as living with a big family.
My aunt and mom shared values. I miss my mother, especially when I meet her former students — she was a teacher. Such moments flash back memories of my childhood under her care.
My aunt instilled in me values of hard work, honesty and focus. I will always remember the day she took me to the bank and asked me to sign for my own account
Helen Kawesa, public relations manager, Parliament
When I was about five, my late uncle, Mr. Mpanga, asked my parents to allow me live with his family. He had children who were my age. I lived there and loved it.
Though I lived away from home, my parents kept in touch. It was one big loving family, where we played and enjoyed our childhood.
I was among the three youngest children, so I was pampered. And even when my uncle died, my aunt Joyce Mpanga, kept us together, supported us and loved us.
My aunt emphasised discipline. We did the household chores together and sat as a family at meal time. She taught us to be honest and hard working. I would see my parents during the holidays.
At the age of six, my mother abandoned me at my grandparent’s home. She gave birth when she was very young — she had to move on with her life.
Eventually my aunt, Mrs. Kasumba, raised me. I still call her mum. She was a disciplinarian. If the sun set before I was home, I would be in trouble, but it helped me so much that even today, I am at home by 7:00pm.
We had to recite the rosary everyday under her watchful eye. I did not miss my biological parents much; you cannot miss what you did not enjoy. I grew up in a loving family.
Lydia Keturah Kamugisa, Vision Group Magazines Editor and fashion columnist
I was seven when I left my mum and went to live with my stepmothers Amooti and Akiiki. These, together with my grandmother, Mukaaka raised me.
Sometimes things did not go well, but life was interesting. My stepmothers loved and cared for us.
Akiiki, who was from Scotland, introduced me to fashion and reading. She brought me nice dresses and books.
Amooti also taught me how to cook, match and mix colours and how to design clothes. Mukaaka was my rock; she taught me to always respect my stepmothers, to pray about everything and be positive.
Sometimes I missed my mum and would become sad. I would lie on my bed and visualise her beautiful brown face, but that is all I could see. I imagined her cuddling and comforting me only to realize she was not around.
My stepmothers always told me that I was beautiful; this gave me a lot of confidence as I used to be shy.
I also learnt how to appreciate things people do for me. I am very grateful to them. I will always remember the ballet dancing sessions we used to have with my stepmothers at home.
Dr. Elizabeth Madraa, head of food and nutrition, health ministry
I was raised by my grandmother. My mum was a business lady and was never home. I lived with my grandmother and cousins.
Life with grandmother was interesting: She told us stories. We, the little children, used to share a bed with her and we fought to sleep closest to her. But she was a disciplinarian.
We fetched water and firewood before walking 10km to school every morning. We would go back home to grind millet. Failure to do so meant missing meals.
I did not miss my mother much, but I wished she had been around a lot more.
Simeo Nsubuga, chief security officer Kyambogo University
I was three years old when my mum died. She left me under the care of my grandmother, Mangadalena Nansamba. Living grandma was interesting.
She handled me with care, looked out for me and made sure I was safe. She never went to sleep until I was home. She was a staunch Catholic and since our home was close to the church, she always went with me.
She taught me to be careful when dealing with people and to leave room for doubt. I missed my mother many times, more so on specific occasions where her presence would have meant a lot to me such as when I got my first degree, when I passed out as a police officer, on my wedding day and when I got my second degree.
I am still indebted to my grandmother because she inspired me to work hard and instilled discipline into me. I owe much of my success to her.
David Bahati, MP Ndorwa County West, Kabale district
My parents died when I was aged three. I was taken up by my grandmother. She was caring. She walked several kilometers to and from the garden and sometimes brought me roasted sweet potatoes.
We lived in a grass-thatched house that leaked. My grandmother shared a bed with me until my P.2. She paid my school fees until she died when I was in P.6.
I struggled to raise my school fees by vending banana leaves. The time I shared with grandma is memorable. She taught me to share with others.
She was hard working, but I missed my biological parents’ love. When I was graduating at Makerere University, it was very emotional finding someone to escort me.
A parent’s position can never be substituted, but since I married and have children, I am finding solace and comfort in that gift which I believe was God’s plan.
Compiled by Stephen Ssenkaaba and Arthur Baguma