The Kyabazinga of Busoga, HRH William Wilberforce Nadiope Gabula IV, on Tuesday, September 2, 2024, expressed his appreciation for the Executive Director (ED) of the Gabula Royal Foundation, Mr. Isaac Imaka, for spearheading youth empowerment initiatives in the Kingdom.
The King, who is the patron of the skills foundation, conveyed his commendation through Prince Richard Gabula, who represented him at the funeral of Mr. Imaka’s mother, Elizabeth Jennifer Aliyinza Mugabira.
“He has done a great job in Busoga. He is at the forefront of skilling the youth through the Gabula Royal Foundation,” Prince Richard Gabula said while delivering the Royal message.
Mr. Imaka, who is also the founder of the regional news publication, Busoga Today Newspaper, is in deep grief after the loss of his 71-year-old mother, who passed on on Saturday, August 31, 2024.
The elderly mother succumbed to heart complications, a condition she had battled for several years.
Laid to rest in Luzinga village, Kamuli district, the late Aliyinza was a mother of seven surviving children, who praised her for the nurturing and caring life she led.
“I cannot forget how my mother helped me and my siblings grow up in an enriching environment. I have lived a good life because of my mother, and I succeeded in life, which allowed me to take care of her,” Mr. Imaka tearfully recounted during the funeral at Luzinga Primary School.
Sharing a memorable story, Imaka, representing his grieving siblings, told mourners how his mother once prevented him from returning to their Namulesa (Jinja) home, instructing him to remain in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, to establish his life.
“While at Makerere University, I used to come back home for holidays. When it was time to return to campus, she told me there was no money. She gave me four thousand shillings (UGX 4,000) and instructed me to stay in Kampala, and I did,” Imaka said.
The funeral, filled with condolences and heartfelt messages, attracted several dignitaries, including clergy, political figures, Busoga Kingdom officials, civil servants, and friends.
Rakai Woman legislator Juliet Suubi Kinyamatama commended the grieving Imaka for establishing significant relationships with various individuals in the community.
“During his time at Daily Monitor, Imaka used to publish stories that mattered to my people. He became part of our family, and he has continued to guide my people, which is why I came with my family from Rakai to be part of the mourners,” Kinyamatama said.
Gabula Royal Foundation Executive Secretary John Naku Kairu emphasized, “Isaac is my boss as the ED of Gabula Royal Foundation, and he does it well. I am just sorry that his mother is gone. I want to comfort you that the Lord will provide something good in the loss of your mother.”
Kairu comforted the family, quoting Jeremiah 29:11, which underscores that God has plans and supreme powers for everyone.
Deputy RCC Jinja City Northern Division, who commiserated with the Mugabira family, emphasized the importance of parenting, citing the troubling behavior of some young people in the communities.
“The people engaging in illegal practices, especially the panga-wielding individuals, are our children. They were not parented well. Therefore, let us instill discipline in our children,” Kiganira said.
Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan lawyer and freelance journalist, expressed her condolences, highlighting the significant relationship she had with the late mother and Mr. Imaka.
The late Aliyinza is remembered for her devout faith, with members of St. Peter’s Church, Namulesa, praising her tireless efforts to serve the Lord. She was the vice chairperson of the Mothers’ Union in the church.
The children now remain orphans, as their father, Nathan Wycliffe Mugabira, passed away in June last year.
