Aliyinza, mother of toil! She died on 31 August 2024. She was 71.
An hour before passing, she had talked to her eldest son, Fred Mugabira, on phone and reassured him that she had put whatever was worrying her aside and was focusing on her healing.
“Ebyo nabivileku. Njakuba bulungi,” she told him in reference to the concern she was nursing about her sick grandson, Ethan Kirabo Nsibambi, who had, early in the week, had a fall in the bathroom and was sick.
But as our late papa would say, it was a little too late. Her lungs had weakened, and she started gasping for oxygen and at around 10:30am, despite efforts by her 9-year-old grandson, Walugembe Godfrey Kimbugwe, whom she fondly referred to as her doctor, to administer her inhaler, she passed, as the 9-year-old cried out, jaja totuleka—grannie do not leave us. Outside, her daughter, Deborah Nakiduuli, who she had asked to go get an oximeter was still on phone trying to ring in a doctor.
She was surrounded by some of her grandchildren who had stayed with her in her bedroom as their mother had run out to summon help.
According to medical reports, mom was born with a hole in her heart. How she managed to give birth to 7 children through normal delivery and knock up 71 years baffled medics at Mulago hospital. Meanwhile, she had, during the 71 years, picked up a lungs problem too, pulmonary hypertension. Incurable.
So, when she got hit by a stroke in October last year, the battle intensified. She, however, took it on with courage. Lived through two grueling weeks at Nile International Hospital, then a week at Mulago Heart Institute and then went back home to nurse the stroke, in the caring hands of her children and her son-in-law, Dr Kimbungwe.
Aliyinza, daughter of Perpetua Namutamba and Kadogo grew up to be a fighter.
Having lost both her parents at an early age, she had to grow up with Auntie, who we later grew to fondly call Dada Sussana, in Buwenda village, in Jinja City. She had a try at education, attending Buwenda Primary School and later St James Secondary School where she, due to school fees difficulties, stopped in senior two.
In line with society’s expectations then, an out of school orphan, her only option was marriage.
She was brought to Nathan Wycliff Mugabira’s rental in Wakitaka, rentals owned by the late mzee Myeera, on a bicycle in 1974 and handed over to the then Kiira college Butiki bursar by her elder brother Balumuka to be husband and wife.
A year later, she sired Mugabira his first child, a girl they named Sarah Rachael Mugabira. By 1988, she would make it seven. Sara, Fred, Deborah, Juliet, Rebecca, Isaac and Anthony.
How does a senior two drop out with an out of job husband raise seven children? Aliyinza must have wondered.
Her answer was in being a strict disciplinarian who valued education and a hustler. She would go hungry if it meant saving that shilling for her child’s school fees. At one point she was put in the coolers for defaulting on a FINCA loan, about shs80,000, she had picked on the pretext of injecting in her fish business yet in truth she was going to pay fees for me, then in senior one.
Aliyinza did everything and almost anything that would bring bread to her family. From baking and hawking samosas in Namulesa and Butiki Yellow Market, selling smoked fish in Namulesa Market to operating a makeshift village restaurant. Aliyinza ensured that her children ate, went to school and had clothes to wear; even though she had not more than two gomesi for herself and only survived on cloth donation from her friend Mama Judith and sometimes her sister, Buwomera Night of Iganga.
Hers was a like a lifelong project and like mother goose, she protected her children from any external threat, perceived or real and in the process instilled in them the spirit of togetherness and responsibility towards each other.
At the end, a senior two dropout had created an accountant, a hotelier, a teacher, a social worker, a teacher, a journalist/social entrepreneur and a tech engineer in her family, all with degrees some at master’s Level. Her first grand-daughter, Emily Nakiduuli, was in the last leg of her human nutrition degree.
If that was her project objective, she achieved it. Raising disciplined educated and successful children. By the time of her death, her focus had turned to her grandchildren.
She had already identified who among them would be professor. Nsibambi Ethan, because of his unexplainable intelligence at a very young age. In return, Ethan was, among the grandchildren, the closest to her and he was the most devasted when she passed. They always shared a bed, even the night before her passing.
When he was asked to pray for his Jaja’s soul before the casket left the house for burial, he instead asked questions.
“Jaja, how come this time you decided to die? Don’t you know that when you die, we bury you?” he muttered as he knelt at the casket.
Indeed, that question!
She now rests in Luzinga, another angel joining Mzee Mugabira, our dad, to protect and watch over their seven children and 13 grandchildren, who fondly called her mama and mzee.
How the grandchildren remember her
Ssuuna Gabriel Kimbugwe
In my entire life have never seen a person like Jaja Jeniffer, whenever you were with her your stomach was to the fullest because she never left you hungry. She always called us at breakfast and gives us sweet potatoes, casava, bread and everyone would eat to their fullest.
Namulondo Emiko
I will never forget those days when I was young, mama used to give me a lot of care, cooking for me food, giving porridge every morning to boost my growth and development. She sacrificed her sleep in the early mornings to take me to school opening doors to my bright future she has always wanted me to achieve.
Nakiduuli Emily Pauline (Her heir)
My grandma was a great mother to me as well. She was the pillar of my life, pouring endless love and care into every moment I spent with her. She fought fiercely for me; she was a warrior who never gave up even in sickness. Her strength, resilience and unconditional love shaped me into the woman I am today. I carry with me the beautiful memories of growing up in Namulesa, where her warmth and guidance made me feel safe and cherished. She opened doors of opportunity in my life, teaching me values, strength and compassion. I will forever be grateful for all the sacrifices she made for me, her unwavering support and the love she gave so selflessly. Her legacy lives on in my heart and I miss her a lot every single day.
May Her Soul Rest in Peace love you a lot and miss you a lot every single day.
Nabachwa Gladys Kimbugwe
Maama Aliyinza. Even though she was our grandma, to us she was a mother. A mother whose education wasn’t so great but always wished the best education for us. When I was going to school for term two this year, she called me aside and prayed for me, after the prayer she told me that I was going to school to read, learn and fight to be successful, then she let me go to school, after the term I had planned to come home and fall into her arms showing her my achievements in term two but to my dismay she died before I had the chance. Looking at her in the casket, I recalled the last conversation we had together before I left for school. I will keep it at heart and hope those words will help me move through all my struggles in school to fulfill my dreams. May her soul rest in eternal peace
Jjunju Siyalo Kimbugwe
Jaja Jennifer, my grandmother whom I used to have. Jaja used to make for us delicious samosas, they were so good, and I’ve never forgotten the taste. When I was going to school Jaja told me that ‘you are going to school to study, but you are not going to school to fight and play, I want you to get a life education. Jaja Jennifer, I love you and may your soul rest in peace.
Walugembe Godfrey Kimbugwe
My Jaja Jennifer, she was the only grandma I had on my mother’s side, I loved like a mother. Before she kicked the bucket, I was doctoring her, giving her medicine day and night, the inhaler was the last medicine I gave her in her lifetime. I know she’s in heaven sitting with the angels and may she see me graduating to become a doctor. May her soul rest in peace and may God bless her abundantly.
What Children say
Isaac William Imaka (Son)
Elizabeth. My Aliyinza. As I fondly called her. I will miss her. I am what I am because she toiled. When I got the news of her passing, I confirmed that nothing would have prepared me enough for the void she left in my heart. I hope and pray that one day I will heal.
Anthony Eriakesi Mugabira (Son)
Mum was matriarch who was present in our lives and kept in touch keenly with us even as adults. She loved her children and grandkids responsibly and was keen about discipline, she kept profound interest in our lives, even during illness. We shall miss her emphasis on family unity and personal success but believe her soul will still witness our achievements when she is beyond earthly pain. We love to pray for the souls of the departed to rest in peace. Do I really want my mum to rest? I seek God allows mum’s soul to continue to watch over us.
Deborah Nakiduli (Daughter)
Mama Aliyinza on 3rd/09/2024 we buried an educationist who didn’t go far in her education, an entrepreneur, a disciplinarian, a hard worker and a God-fearing woman who must be resting besides Him.
She loved her children and very loving to people near her. She raised a very disciplined group of seven children, and the village mates applauded her for that.
She trained me to be hardworking woman and independent minded. I will always love you, my mama.
Nankumbi Rebecca (Daughter)
Mum loved and cared for us all through. Despite the financial hardships, she made sure we lived happily and filled with love at home. We enjoyed our home. Forever love thank you and goodbye.
Fred Mugabira(son)
Mom was simply a Divine Being handed down into a human body. Throughout her life, her conduct towards others under all circumstances was one of love. Her life experience and her last hours with us here signified her Divine Being. Rest with the Angles Jennifer for I believe you are one.
Sarah Mugabira (daughter)
Mum is a loving mother always so protective of her family, yet she is a disciplinarian and humble. A very hardworking mother who believed in educating her children for a better future. She’s a prayer worrier who trusted and believed in Jesus Christ with all heart. Like that woman in proverbs 31 she’s a precious mum; brave, intelligent, patient.
Juliet Mugabira (daughter)
I used to call her mukyala Mugabira. She had a true love in all circumstances, caring mum, a quick thinker in all aspects of life. She was always happy when you succeeded. She was my best cook, my prayer warrior. I will miss you mum RIP.
1 Comment
Beautiful tribute to my aunt.