Nassali built our house- husband

CELEBRATING LIFE

The Easter homily that marvelled me most was the one delivered by the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Uganda, the Most Reverend Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu at All Saints' Cathedral, Kampala.

Like all the other prelates and pastors, Kaziimba could not avoid talking about the Covid-19 pandemic, which had made Christians celebrate the happiest Christian feast without the usual massive congregations.

As he delved deep into his homily, Kaziimba, in his mesmeric style, snubbed some women who he said were feeling uncomfortable with their husbands at home.

He said such women were cursing coronavirus, saying: "oh God, when will the Covid-19 pandemic end so that this man can go away? He is really making my life difficult. I have no peace when he is near me."

Well, the women Kaziimba was talking about do exist and they are actually many.

But there is also a strong presence of virtuous women, who have elevated their respective vocations by the power of their exemplary disposition.

Margaret Nassali Kiyimba, a resident of Igombe village, in Jinja district, is evidently one of the women of virtue, whose exemplary character has been a blessing to her family and community.

The character of Nassali was best highlighted by her husband, Justin Nathan Kiyimba, who referred to her as the "loveliest spouse of all time."

"I do not think there is a man who has ever been at peace with his wife like i have been. Margaret was not only my wife, but also my best friend.

As a wife, she was dependable, caring and developmental. She would ensure that i got everything i wanted, even before i asked for it. She would buy me clothes, serve me a balanced diet and always ensure that i was well taken care of," Kiyimba said.

"Margaret was developmental. In fact, i can say she is the one who built our family house. Although we used our family savings, she is the one who encouraged me to buy the land on which we built.

And when the house was under construction, she supported the work with her physical involvement. She would jump on the lorry and collect building materials, such as bricks and sand. She would also supervise the construction works," he added.

"Margaret always gave me respect. She always called me Daddy. Margaret loved me. She loved my children and they loved her," Kiyimba said.

"Interestingly, she knew all the birthdays of our children and grandchildren, as well as mine. I would just be there thinking about other things and she would surprise me with a gift, saying: "Daddy, happy birthday to you."

Martha Kiyimba also praised her mother. "Mother was a strong Christian woman.

She got a tumour on her left cheek, which subjected her to eight operations.

She also got a terminal stroke, which paralysed her right side, but she remained strong.

"She would go around the village visiting sick people. She was also supportive to her Church, St Andrew's Church of Uganda, Magamaga."

Indeed, Nassali was an exemplary Christian mother, who loved her husband and her children, whom she also raised so well that they became citizens of repute.

One of them, Irene Nambi Seppuuya (RIP), was a seasoned journalist, who had a highly admirable journalism career writing for the New Vision newspaper.

The other daughter, Martha Kiyimba, is a tourism business operator.

Timothy Kiyimba is a banker, while Arthur Andrew Kiyimba is in the US.

Nassali was a professional primary school teacher. After suffering a stroke, she settled at her marital home.

She did not die from the stroke or the many head surgeries that she had got earlier, but from a blood clot that she got after falling and breaking her leg.

Although her family members are still grieving, they have heart-rooted joy, owing to the legacy of responsible Christian parenting and hard work that she left with them.

From the family

Margaret, oh Margaret, our fearful trip is done, the sheep has weathered every rack, the storm we fought is won.

Margaret, oh Margaret, rise up and hear the bells; Rise up, for you the flag is flung, for yoy the bugle trills.

For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths, for you the shores a-crowding;

For you they call ....and answered you have.

A brief on Nassali

She was born on November 14, 1948 to Yosswa Sendyose Musoke and Christine Musoke.

Nasali was educated at Nalinnya Lwantale Prrimary School, Ndejje Junior School, Lady Irene TTC Ndejje and Ggaba TTC.

She taught at Buckley School Iganga, Maggwa Primary School Jinja, StJude Primary School, Naguru and Kabale Preparatory School.

Margaret Nassali Kiyimba

1948 to 2020