Rhoda Kalema who has been one of Uganda’s most resourceful female leaders ever and who commendably championed the emancipation of women folks, finally took the bow on Wednesday last week.
The late Rhoda, who was an eldest sister to Buganda kingdom’s minister, Owek. Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa and a wife to celebrated accountant, Dr William Kalema, hailed from one of Buganda’s greatest families ever, whose Patriarch, the late Martin Lurther Nsibirwa was tragically murdered on September 5th 1945 as he walked out of Namirembe Cathedral Church.
The late Nsibirwa’s last prayers were held at Namirembe Cathedral Church, where he had during his lifetime, been a regular attendant of each and every morning prayers. As fate would have it, Owek Katikkiro Nsibirwa on the day of his tragic death, was filing out of Namirembe Cathedral Church where he had attended morning prayers.
Befittingly one of Buganda kingdom’s most famous Katikkiros ever, Martin Lurther Nsibirwa, was interred at the Namirembe Cathedral Church cemetery. His late daughter, Rhoda Kalema has also commendably been a regular attendant of Namirembe Cathedral Church where her last prayers were held.
The late Martin Lurther Nsibirwa was one of the most progressive and forward looking Buganda kingdom’s prime ministers who allocated land for the expansion of Makerere University as earlier as 1945. He also allocated land used to build an institute for nurses and midwives at Mulago which later on morphed into Uganda’s current main Mulago referral hospital.
Ironically, the late Martin Lurther Nsibirwa would shortly after carrying out the said patriotic and progressive actions, be martyred by a group of idiot Baganda who valued land above education, enlightenment and progress. Prior to his assassination, Owek. Katikkiro Nsibirwa’s proposal of allocating land for the expansion of Makerere had previously been met with stiff resistance upon presenting the same on the floor of Lukiiko (Buganda Parliament ).
But he stood his ground and forced the proposal through, culminating into his being martyred. Now, as he looks from heaven down to Uganda, Owek. Martin Lurther Nsibirwa is very glad and at peace with himself, knowing that he was martyred for doing the right thing.
Makerere University has not only since Martin Lurther Nsibirwa’s martyrdom been churning out hundreds of thousands of graduates, who have proved very instrumental in ensuring the progress and development of our motherland, but also, for Africa and beyond. His dream and courageous action has since helped millions of people to earn education and engage in development of themselves and the world. Rest in peace Owek. Katikkiro Martin Lurther Nsibirwa and your daughter, Rhoda Kalema.
Author Profile
- Mr. Stephen Kasozi Muwambi is a seasoned crime investigative writer, majoring in judicial-based stories. His two decades’ experience as a senior investigative journalist has made him one of the best to reckon on in Uganda. He can also be reached via [email protected]
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