One of Bunyoro's eldest princesses laid to rest

Princess Irene Kabasuuga Gafabusa Adyeeri Mawejje, who passed away this year on Monday has been laid to rest at Mparo, Bunyoro's royal tombs, in Hoima Municipality.

Kabasuuga was the elder sister to the reigning Omukama of Bunyoro Solomon Gafabusa Iguru I and daughter to Omukama Sir Tito Winyi IV Gafabusa who reigned from 1924-1967 when kingdoms were abolished.

Kabasuuga in November 1948 was one of the flower girls when Sir Edward Mutesa II married Damalie Kisosonkole at Namirembe Cathedral.

The head of the royal Babiito clan Okwir Fred Mugenyi Ruchuunya, described Kabasuuga as a peace-loving person who cared for all people despite their social status.

"We have lost a caring and loving person who has been welcoming every person and a mother to many people. As a royal family, we mourn the passing of one of our eldest princesses and it is a big loss," said Mugenyi.

Mugenyi while addressing mourners at St Peter's Cathedral in Hoima called upon all the royal clan members to come back to Bunyoro and develop their ancestral area.

He said that the people of Bunyoro love Babiito and the kingdom is very safe and developing at a faster rate.

"Our kingdom is very safe and developing so fast and I appeal to the royals in the diaspora to come back home and develop the area together," said Mugenyi.

He appealed to the subjects in the kingdom to support its development despite the challenges.

While preaching to the mourners, the dean of Bunyoro Kitara diocese Rev. Captain Eric Twiine asked the royal clan members to emulate the good deeds of Princess Kabasuuga.

"She has been a mother to many, very warm-hearted, receptive, and most of all generous. So we need to learn from her behaviour to transform this world," said Twiine.

Twiine said that the Bible says that man will live for 70 or 80 years but the late had lived beyond this age bracket therefore her life must be celebrated.

"Most people in Uganda are dying at early years and we need to reflect on why people like Kabasuuga can live for 87 years," said Twiine.

He said that the young generation has developed bad behaviour of not respecting elders and look at them as if they are not important in running the affairs of this nation.

Twiine asked the young people to be peace-loving and also learn from the elders if they are to live in this world for many years.

"You have the energy but you need the wisdom from the elders so that you can live a meaningful life," said Twiine.

Kabasuuga was born to Omukama Sir Tito Winyi on August 8, 1933, and went to Kings College Buddo. She later joined Mulago Nursing School.

She was the proprietor of Ozo petrol station along Makerere Hill Road for 40 years before it later turned into Total.

She has also been the proprietor of Afro Chinese Restaurant in Wandegeya on Makerere Hill Road for the last 55 years.   

She is survived by two daughters Monica Mawejje and Sarah Nakibogo and 14 grandchildren.

But both her daughters however did not send her off because they are currently in the United States.