Aronda has left us a name - Linda

Sep 20, 2015

Those were the words that struck most as Linda Aronda eulogized her husband as she bade him farewell.


By Robert Mwesigye

“Aronda has not left us much wealth, but has left us a name.”

Those were the words that struck most as Linda Nyakairima eulogized her husband as she bade him farewell on Sunday.

Though going through a trying time, Linda, accompanied by her mother and children; Samantha and Agaba Aronda, spoke passionately about the man she said “she did not know how she would live without".

“He was a wonderful man; I don’t know how I am going to live without him."

Speaking about Aronda as "a nice person, gentle, and a gentleman", a composed Linda said the general was a selfless man who served his country more than himself.

“He dedicated most of his time to his job, serving the people and Uganda. He was selfless; he served the country more than himself. ”

 “I give a lot of gratitude for the gift of my husband in my life, children and all those people he helped.”

She described how it was tough for the family to cope with Aronda dividing his time between them and his country.

She said her husband would leave home at 7.00am and return at midnight but she would never sleep before he returned. “I would wait for him until he returned. If he was going to be late he would call and inform me.”

We were to grow old together

Linda called on her children to emulate their father who had been there for them "whenever he had time" and had imparted discipline and groomed them well.

Reminiscing how they wedded in April 1996, Linda said she had had the best years of her life with a man who was not rude, was knowledgeable about so many things and liked to read.

“One of his favourite books was the bible. We were supposed to grow old together, but now he’s gone. I have no doubt Aronda is in a better place.”

The grieving widow extended gratitude to President Museveni for “giving Aronda the opportunity to serve his country”.

She thanked the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Katumba Wamala (Aronda's successor in that position) for supporting the family throughout this trying time and the army for covering all related expenses to accord Aronda a befitting sendoff.

In an interesting twist fused with sarcastic humour, Linda, while thanking colleagues at the internal affairs ministry where Aronda was the political head, said she was not sure they had welcomed him with open arms at the ministry where he had served two years.

“I am not sure if they welcomed him with wide arms because when he joined I started hearing bad things about him that I had never heard of,” she said, trying to stifle a laugh as she made light of the remark.

Signing off her eulogy, Linda said of her departed husband:

"Aronda is in heaven; I have no doubt he has started working and what a wonderful commander God has got himself.  Till we meet again my friend; I love you and will always love you.”

 

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