Buganda mourns Godfrey Kirumira''s mother

By Eddie Ssejjoba

BUGANDA Kingdom is mourning Princess Joyce Ruth Zawedde Nakimbugwe who on Thursday morning collapsed at her home in Kansanga and died soon afterwards.

Princess Nakimbugwe (77), a former professional teacher and businesswoman was the mother of Kampala businessman, Godfrey Kirumira and former Makindye division chairman, Moses Kalungi.

Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda and Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s young brother, Prince David Wasajja on Friday evening consoled the bereaved family at the vigil.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchy and the royal family, Prince Wasajja said Nakimbugwe had been a gift to her children to whom she acted as an advisor and comforter.

He said she was trustworthy, hardworking and gifted with love, and always yearned to see everyone to be happy.

“On behalf of the royal family and Buganda Kingdom, I want to express our sympathy to the bereaved family for losing a Princess who has been so loving and welcoming. Our words cannot be enough to take away this grief but we will dedicate you to the Lord to console and strengthen you so that you able to go through this difficult time,” he said.

Godfrey Kirumira pictured with his late mother Princess Joyce Ruth Zawedde Nakimbugwe and other family members in a recent photo. Photo by Eddie Sejjoba

He applauded the deceased for having passed on her good traits to her children especially the love for their king and the monarchy.

“Her love for the monarchy has been manifested in her children especially Kirumira who has supported and contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the kingdom and members of the royal family,” he said.

Nakimbugwe who was a teacher at Aggrey Primary School Mengo and later became a bicycle importer has left seven children including Kirumira and Kalungi. Others are David Kasujja, Ivan Kirumira, Annet Namugga Kirumira, Bernard Musoke and Sarah Namusoke. Two others passed on.

Kirumira broke down as he eulogized his mother and was supported away by his friends.  

He said his mother was a big bridge and pillar in the family ever since they lost their father, Ahmed Kirumira in a road accident in 2005.

Kirumira talks to Nnabagereka Sylvia Naginda at his mother's home in Kansanga. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

He however thanked God that his mother’s death was sudden, which enabled her to pass on peacefully, saying he was happy that she did not experience a painful end to her life.

“As I drove back home, the doctor called me and pronounced her dead. We later took the body to Mulago Hospital to ascertain the cause of her death but a postmortem report indicated that she experienced a sudden rise in blood pressure levels,” he explained.

Kirumira said losing his mother suddenly was the third big shock of his life after he lost his father and five siblings in a car accident and the recent murder of fellow businessman, Kasiwuukira.

Prince Wassajja and tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia were in attendance. Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba

The Nnabagereka was received by Kirumira and siblings, his wife Susan, daughter Brenda, and former finance minister Maria Kiwanuka and members of the Kwagalana Group. The vigil was later attended by Kampala tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia who was accompanied by his wife Joystna and daughter.

Others were MPs Anifa Kawooya and John Ssimbwa and his other wife, Lyantonde Woman legislator, Grace Namara, Hotel Africana proprietor Brahim Muwanga Kibirige, John Ssebalamu, Tom Mugenga, Manisuli Matovu, Dick Kizito, Babirye and Nabbaale, John Bagambe, musician Mesarch Ssemakula, among others.

Rev. Shem Nsubuga from St. Stephen’s Church Kisugu remarked that Princess Nakimbugwe was a good teacher who nurtured her children well and asked people of the old generation to learn from her and pass on the necessary knowledge to the young generation.

Burial is scheduled for Sunday at 4.00pm at Busega in Rubaga Division after a funeral service at St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe on Saturday.

The Kwagalana Group members pledged to contribute sh200m for the funeral and burial arrangements with Sudhir contributing sh10m. Other big contributors included Emmanuel Katongole of Quality Chemicals, Matovu Young and Tom Kaaya each sh5m.