Thecla Kinalwa, a role walks into eternity

Kinalwa was a woman of principle and served diligently in all offices, writes Moses Walubiri

This afternoon in the quiet Wakiso suburb of Najjera, Thecla Kinalwa, one of Uganda’s longest serving civil servants, will be laid to rest.

Her contemporaries and friends have described her as “a mentor, friend, meticulous, steadfast and gold–hearted.”

The former State House Comptroller and a seasoned technocrat passed away on her 69th birthday on Saturday, hours after an appearance at her last posting — Uganda Human Rights Commission where she was a commissioner.

Kinalwa, as espoused by her son, Henry Kinalwa, has been an archetypal civil servant — quite private and almost averse to the glare of the media, but working with meticulous precision to accomplish her tasks.

To this end, her name does not ring a bell in the minds of many people outside government circles despite decades of service. But to her friends like the former head of Public Service, Florence Mugasha, this was never her concern.

Recollecting her 43 years of friendship with Kinalwa, Mugasha says she is grateful to God for having willed that their paths crossed in life’s winding journey.


This afternoon in the quiet Wakiso suburb of Najjera, Thecla Kinalwa, one of Uganda’s longest serving civil servants, will be laid to rest.

Her contemporaries and friends have described her as “a mentor, friend, meticulous, steadfast and gold–hearted.”

The former State House Comptroller and a seasoned technocrat passed away on her 69th birthday on Saturday, hours after an appearance at her last posting — Uganda Human Rights Commission where she was a commissioner.

Kinalwa, as espoused by her son, Henry Kinalwa, has been an archetypal civil servant — quite private and almost averse to the glare of the media, but working with meticulous precision to accomplish her tasks.

To this end, her name does not ring a bell in the minds of many people outside government circles despite decades of service. But to her friends like the former head of Public Service, Florence Mugasha, this was never her concern.

Recollecting her 43 years of friendship with Kinalwa, Mugasha says she is grateful to God for having willed that their paths crossed in life’s winding journey.

in the Office of the Prime Minister, says her friendship with Kinalwa goes more than 30 years. To her, Kinalwa, whose acquaintance began when their paths crossed in the civil service, has not only been a friend, but a sister.

“She has been a meticulous, focused and organised person who would pursue her goals with unflinching determination. But above all, Thecla had been blessed with an agile mind,” Guwatudde says.

Another technocrat that Kinalwa took under her wings when he was making his foray into public service 34 years ago, is former permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Francis Xavier Lubanga. “She guided, mentored and took personal interest in my career. She would arrange courses tailored to enhancing her subordinates’ career and she knew how to delegate. She had a big heart,” Lubanga says. “I learnt a lot from her. She was a good time manager and if you wanted to lose her confidence, you simply had to tell her lies,” Lubanga reminisces.

The Minister for the Presidency, Frank Tumwebaze, described Kinalwa as “a straightforward and brilliant person who talked less but acted with precision.

Vicent Ssekkono, who replaced Kinalwa as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, described her as “a committed civil servant” with public interests at heart.

To Ssekkono, the sun has set too early on Kinalwa, affording her no time to savour the fruits of her struggles in life. “It’s a pity she has not lived long enough to enjoy the fruits of her retirement,” Ssekkono says.

Vision Group CEO, Robert Kabushenga, remembers his encounter with Thecla, as she has been fondly known to her friends, describing her as “a mentor.”

“I am grateful for the support she gave me when I was setting up the Uganda Media Centre. She treated me like her son. I benefitted immensely from her wise advice and mentorship,” says. Kabushenga. We all wish you adieu.

Factifile

Born in November 1945, Kinalwa attended Mitala Maria Primary School and Mt. St. Mary’s, Namagunga.
 In 1969, she graduated from Nairobi University.

 From 1972—1974, she worked her way through the ranks, getting promoted to senior assistant secretary in the Office of the President.

 She was later made under– secretary; an office she held from 1976—1978.

Other postings

 A stint as secretary for constitutional affairs 1990 to 1991.

Permanent secretary in ministries of local government (1993/96) and gender (1996-1997).

From 1997 to 2003, Kinalwa served as State House Comptroller and later as secretary, Office of the President retiring from public service a month later.

She is survived by four children.