Former EC boss tells children to share wealth

By Eddie Ssejjoba

Former deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Flora Kambarara Nkurukenda Akiiki has asked her children to share their wealth with the needy and poor in society as one of the contributions to her father's legacy.

Nkurukenda said her late father, Yoana Barigenda, a former Makerere University (College School) trained teacher who taught in many schools across the country bequeathed the biggest part of his wealth to the needy and poor children wherever he worked.

This was the former legislator's message to her children on her 70th birthday organized by her children and friends to express gratitude and thank God for her life.

Born on June 21, 1945 at Nyamitanga in Mbarara where her father was working, Kambarara got married to Dr. Amooti Rwamirimo Nkurukenda, a former dental surgeon who died four years ago.  

The function which took place at the Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi began with Holy Mass at St. Jude Church Naguru where Nkurukenda thanked God for her long life and dedicated her remaining years to her creator.

Rev. Fr. Edward Muwanga was the main celebrant. The service was attended by former East African Legislative Assembly speaker, Margaret Zziwa; chairperson of the Uganda Humans Rights Commission Margret Ssekajja, Fred Kabagambe-Kaliisa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, among others. 

Rev. Fr. Edward Muwanga led holy mass to celebrate 70 years of Nkurukenda

At the function Nkurukenda introduced her six biological children but also introduced some of the twenty adopted children, whom she raised and educated with majority acquiring University education, something she said she was happy to have done to keep her father's legacy.

"My father was trained as a teacher at Makerere in 1925 and thereafter taught in several schools in Fort Portal, Mbarara, Kabale, Northern and Central Uganda but he sponsored many children to attain education using his earnings," she said.

Former East African Legislative Assembly speaker, Margaret Zziwa congratulates Nkurukenda

Speaking to her friends, former workmates and family members, Nkurukenda said she intended to dedicate her remaining years to helping the youth to achieve their dreams and guide them on how to achieve their ambitions.

She is in the process of forming a widows' association in her home village in Bulindi, Hoima district where she has already registered over 200 members who do not have steady income generating activities.

She intends to achieve this in partnership with the area Roman Catholic Church and told her guests that she does not discriminate religion or tribe in her charity work.

She plans to help them start income generating projects including poultry, piggery and help villagers plant more trees and grow more food.   

  Nkurukenda poses for a group photo with her children at Silver Springs hotel Bugolobi. PHOTO/Eddie Ssejjoba

"I welcome everyone in my charity that is why three of my adopted children are Muslims. I want everyone to benefit and be happy," she said.

 Nkurukenda also plans to start up a nursery school in her village to help poor children attain early education.

She however said she left politics for good and did not intend to get involved in any form of politicking.  She currently serves as a board member of the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation.

Her children described her woman of strong character who has helped them grow into responsible citizens.

Kabagambe, who is Nkurukenda's cousin, applauded her for being a peace maker in her family and everywhere she worked and an inspiration to her family.