Obudingiya Bwa Bwamba Queen mother laid to rest

Bundibugyo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Queen Mother of Obudingiya Bwa Bwamba-OBB Rhoda Nansolia Kawamara has been accorded a state funeral. Her remains were laid to rest next to the grave of her husband Yeremiya Kawamara at Booma grounds in Bundibugyo town on Sunday afternoon.

The burial followed a church service at St. Thomas, Bumadu. Several religious and political leaders joined the family to eulogize the deceased. Wilson Mubulya, the kingdom premier saluted the deceased for not only taking care of her family but also remaining committed during the Rwenzururu struggle in 1962.

He recognized her role in the creation and leading of prominent women groups in the Church of Uganda, whose impact remains visible.

Robert Tibakunirwa, Bundibugyo district LC V chairperson said that they agreed as a local government to bury the deceased at Booma grounds in recognition of her role in the creation of Bundibugyo district. He said the community has a lot to learn from a woman who stood her ground to defend her tribe mates.

In an interview with URN, the Bughendera County MP Moses Acrobert Kiiiza hailed the deceased for not deserting her family when her husband was imprisoned during the Rwenzururu struggle that gave birth to Kasese and Bundibugyo districts in 1974. He said the deceased together with Christine Biira and Judith Kabajungu were central pillars in the demand for the autonomy of the Bamba and Bakonzo from Tooro.

Nasolia’s older daughter, Rose Mary Kobusinge applauded the government led by President Museveni for recognizing her late mother as a pillar of development and unity in the Rwenzori sub region. She said her mother has been an advisor to King Martin Kamya.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also donated Shillings 30 million towards the burial expenses. Elder Denis Komunjara, a close family friend described the late as a heroine that loved her tribe and sacrificed for it. He also remembers her for not deserting her husband when he joined the struggle to liberate the Bamba/Babwisi.

76 year old Salim Mudere, another resident of Bundibugyo says that the late Nansolia will be remembered as a symbol of family love for her effortless support to her husband.

Mudere said it could have not been possible for the Rwenzururu group to succeed without strong women who offered moral support.

Richard Baguma, a youth in Bundibugyo town asked the cultural institution to publish autographs for the great men and women of the district so that young people can appreciate their works.

Nansolia was born in January 1932, in Bubandi sub county, Bundibugyo district to the late Ernest Kitika and Jorolina Nasisiliya. She got married to the late Yeremiya Kawamara in April 1951 up to his death in August 1992.

She is survived with 6 children, 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Her sickness started with hypertension and diabetes in 1997 until she passed on on Thursday. Her late husband Kawamara, together with Peter Mupalya and Isaya Mukirania walked out of the Tooro Kingdom Parliament in March 1962 protesting marginalization by the Batooro. They led the Rwenzururu movement.

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URN