Camilla Asiya: Long-serving Vision Group's front desk officer dies

Aug 18, 2018

Asiya had only begun to settle into her retirement after working with the multimedia company for over two decades.

DEATH

Vision Group's longest serving front desk officer, Camilla Asiya, has died.

After dedicating as many as 23 years of her life to working with Uganda's leading multimedia company, Camilla, as everyone fondly called her, had only recently retired.

But only months into her retirement, the daughter, mother, grandmother, friend and mentor to many has breathed her last.

Camilla died in Kampala Friday late evening after being admitted at Mengo Hospital on Wednesday.

By the time of admission, she had complained of chest pain and difficulty in breathing, according to a person close to the family. It would be her final days alive.

She was 66.

Her body would be taken to her home in Mukono, central Uganda, for prayers as the burial arrangements are established.

'A good and caring lady'

News of Camilla's passing that trickled in early Saturday was received with shock.

"Shocking! Am hurting! She tried to ensure she had a happy retirement! So sad! RIP Camilla. Condolences to her mother and children," wrote one of the Vision Group staff.

"People, are you talking about our Mama or another Camilla?" wrote another.

Another staff wrote: "Oh my God! I didn't see that coming. She should have been with us longer as she enjoyed her retirement! Oh God!"

"Ohhhhh, so bad. She was a very good and caring lady. She will be missed. RIP Camilla," was the tribute from another employee.


A career of dedication

Camilla left the front desk to start life in retirement at the end of June this year, and was given a warm sendoff by the company she had worked for for so long.

Vision Group chief executive Robert Kabushenga invited her to his office for a tête-à-tête before her official departure. He later said he was privileged to have worked with her.

"Just said farewell to Kamilla Asiya, a remarkable employee of New Vision. She has put in 23 years at the front office. And during that time, she achieved a lot personally. Those of you who have been to our office will know Kamilla. I am privileged to have worked with her," he posted on Twitter, with a warm picture of him and Asiya enjoying a hearty laugh.

 

 

 

Her heartwarming smile was as infectious as it was welcoming. Visitor after visitor, Camilla had seen them walk through the office entrance year in, year out. She had also seen employees march in for routine work in equal measure.

She had to receive and make calls, both internal and external.

"Hello, Camilla speaking ..." was her signature start to an official phone call.

She walked up and down the stairs leading visitors to a respective office or editor.

Plus many more duties -- both at an individual and team level.

Hers was a demanding job, but Camilla personified resilience, commitment, passion and loyalty.

Her dedication was partly rewarded towards the end of last year when Vision Group contributed to her trip to Abu Dhabi, where she joined a group of 20 lucky winners of a promotion by Vision Group's vernacular newspaper Bukedde dubbed 'Tugende Abu Dhabi'.

Although Camilla was not one of the beneficiaries of the promotion, the company offered to contribute for her to join the group and enjoy the trip.

 

 

 

Also related to this story

Abu Dhabi trip: Camilla Asiya's prayer answered

 

 

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