Judge Sebutinde's father laid to rest

By Gladys Kalibbala

The father of the international judge Julia Sebutinde was on Thursday buried at St Mark’s Church Namate, Entebbe where his late wife Aidah Nabwami Semambo was buried in 1994.

He was 83.

Moses Kibuuka Semambo, who was a Choir leader and organist at St Mark’s Church Namate for several years, died at Kampala International Hospital on Sunday due to multiple organ failure, according to doctors.

While talking to mourners during the funeral service at this church, Sebutinde, accompanied by her siblings explained that her father had been weak for some time and was staying with their last born Christine Semambo Sempebwa.

The family had attended the New Year’s church service at this same church where Sebutinde thanked God for her new appointment as an international judge.

“My father insisted that we carry out the thanksgiving service in Entebbe where we all grew up and I think God wanted him to bid farewell to his many friends here,” she said, fighting back tears.

She recalled how she again came back to clear something on the January 14 and her father who difficulty walking had escorted her to her car and waved for long. “I now believe God planned for me to come back and see him for the last time that day!” she commented as she fought hard not to break down.

Musical man, an entertainer

She described her father as a person who had a passion for music which he developed at an early age of nine in Prmary Three. Despite his tender age at the time, Semambo won a Buganda scholarship after winning a test piece organized by Namirembe diocese.

“He loved films yet could not afford a Television set those days but he entertained us on music and tales every evening and his jokes made more fun than any film for us as a family,” she remembered.

Semambo worked as an Accountant in the Ministry of Works before he retired. Before then, he studied at Namate Primary School, Entebbe, Bishop School Mukono and Kings College Buddo.

The deputy Archdeacon for Entebbe Reverend Fredrick Mubiru who presided over the ceremony urged Christians to emulate the late Semambo.

“The dead cannot serve God, so pick Semambo’s example and serve him when you still have life,” Mubiru urged.

Before burial took place, Semambo’s heir Ted William Batte Semambo was shown to the congregation by clan leaders and the clergy prayed for him. The Nabagereka of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda was among the mourners.