Hundreds mourn Joyce Mungherera

By Cecilia Okoth

THE Mungherera name has become a household in the medical profession. They are four doctors from the family. But behind their success was Joyce Mungherera, a mother of six who passed on this week.

At a funeral service held at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero on Wednesday, the four doctors gave testimonies attributing their success to the role played by their mother in the family.

"Everything I am and have done in the medical world was because of my mother. She knew every award I had ever won and I often let her have my awards for some time before I took them," said Dr. Margaret Mungherera, a daughter to the deceased and Uganda's first psychiatrist.

Margaret was also the first woman president of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), a position she was elected to seven times and served for 10years because of her transparency. She also served as the president of the World Medical Association.

"In her acceptance speech, she drafted several sentences about her mother, a move most of the doctors did not like, arguing that it was not medical. But I told my colleagues that her mother was worth mentioning because she was her mentor. I did not know Joyce but I could clearly see that she was a tree that bore good fruits," said Dr. Yusuf Mpairwe who was speaking on behalf UMA.

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Dr. Margaret Mungherera addresses the congregation while he siblings look on. Photo by Mary Kansiime

Margaret said when she was just a week old, her mother took her in a basket to school and covered her with a mosquito net in a corner and would then turn to her students and teach.

"I guess going to school at one week accounts for the bright person I am today," she joked, adding that she turned down all jobs abroad to look after her ageing parents. Her father, Seth Mungherera is 90 years old whereas Joyce died at the age of 81.

Dr. Jennifer Mungherera, the youngest child and currently pursuing a PHD in Australia described her mother as a woman's advocate and a regional and global leader.

Meanwhile Dr. Andrew Mungherera, an Orthopaedic surgeon often called his mother 'General Joyce' because she was a disciplinarian, an attribute she passed on to all of them whereas Dr. Lydia Mungherera said she learnt hard work and leadership skills from her. Her other children are Peter and Daniel Mungherera.

Seth also heaped praise on his wife saying she was a unique woman who was determined to put into action whatever she thought about. They got married in 1957 and attributed their union to the Lord's guidance that he said has been the master of their home.

He said the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) where the deceased worked for 42 years and served as its executive director for 22 years had been a very useful tool for women.

However while eulogizing Joyce, Alice Makanga the YWCA representative said the organisation has since declined and was no longer performing as good as it used to during Joyce's time.

But in response, Seth said, "You cannot just weep about the current state of the organisation. Rise up and stand for what you want to be done. Joyce was very determined to use YWCA to better many women's lives."

Former Vice President Dr. Specioza Wandera Kazibwe said Joyce mentored many as a professional teacher. 

"We pay tribute to you and pray that more women have the guts to raise their children like you did," she said.

Joyce will be laid to rest on Thursday in Budumba, Butaleja district.