Rabbi Mulondo buried in grave he built 20 years ago

By Norman Katende

MUKONO - Glowing tributes were paid to Rabbi Can. Ezekiel Sserunjogi Mulondo on Friday, a day he was laid to rest in a grave he had built two decades back at Namataba in Mukono district.

Back then, he made it clear that he wanted his grave to be strong and so he decided to build it himself. Also, he wanted to avoid any related mishaps that would potentially spring up when the time of his death came.

And so after surviving the elements for 20 years, the burial site would be used, as per his wish.

Earlier in the day, a funeral service held at St. Francis Basilica Church in Kyaliwajjala had mourners honour a man described as a “loving dad”, a “no-nonsense” grandfather who loved playing the jukebox.

The 97-year-old died on Tuesday of old age at his home at Ntebetebe in Bweyogerere.

A somber mood enveloped the St. Francis church as speaker after speaker remembered Mulondo.

"He was a very loving father who made us grow up as children. He wanted results and you had to get it,” said Florence Bakyawa, one of his daughters.

“If you did something bad, he would tell all his friends about it and that was the same when you did something good.”
 

Rabbi Mulondo's children speak during their father's funeral service. (Credit: Norman Katende)

As the tributes flowed, grievers listened on silently; others broke down.

More fond memories from Bakyawa did well to lighten up the gloom inside the church that Mulondo built for the Christians of Kyaliwajjala.

"He was good at disciplining and I still have scars of his beating which I am proud of. He beat me and took me to hospital and told me to tell the doctor why he beat me.  Near him, you would not want to do any mistake."

Man with big family

With a warm smile, she also recalled the times when their dad would chase them through potato mounds in his suit as he sought to punish them for wrong deeds.

She told the congregants that despite being a tough time, the last three years of their father’s life alive “enabled us to show our dad that we loved him”.

“He would get cross with us at times but not one day could end without a hug and reminding him that we loved him, and he would reply that he loved us more.”
 

The widow Ekiriya Mulondo and the heir Ezekiel Mulondo Sserunjogi. (Credit: Norman Katende)

Mulondo’s grandson Kenneth said he was tough person who had a very big family to take care of.

“When our parents died, jjajja took care of us and every day, he would have so many children being taken to school and we would always arrive late because he wanted to play the juke box,” he recalled.

"He was loving and a disciplinarian; a no-nonsense person whose other name was ‘perfect’ and could not endeavor to spare the rod in order to spoil the child," said Kenneth.

Mulondo was not only loved by his large family but also by the community at large.

It is understood he paid tuition for many church leaders as well as treating many people. He also warmly hosted many people, including former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey when he visited Uganda.

His beloved wife, Ekiriya Nampewo Mulondo, said Mulondo helped her discover her potential in so many things in their marital life.

On his part, retired Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo, who led the service, was happy that all the speakers spoke about his love which he said he had in abundance.



At the funeral service . . .

Retired Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo led the service. (Credit: Norman Katende)

Among the mourners was Rubaga South MP Ken Lukyamuzi (R) and celebrated local drama actor Sam Bagenda, popularly known by his stage name 'Dr. Bbosa' (wearing shades). (Credit: Norman Katende)

Retired bishops lay a wreath on the casket of Rabbi Mulondo. (Credit: Norman Katende)

The widow Ekiriya Mulondo lays a wreath on her beloved husband's casket. (Credit: Norman Katende)

Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga offers a message from Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II to the widow Ekiriya Mulondo. (Credit: Norman Katende)

The funeral service was held at St. Francis Basilica Church in Kyaliwajjala. (Credit: Norman Katende)

Former Katikkiro of Buganda, Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemogerere (front centre) also attended the funeral. (Credit: Norman Katende)