Eulogy To My Grandma, Hajjati Mayimuna Nabagereka

Assalamu Alaikum. My grandmother joined God today. She was a rare breed.

A devout follower of Islam, a farmer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She was a woman with a razor-sharp intellect and callused hands. A woman whose word was her bond.

It is agonizing to lose loved ones, especially a grandmother who had cared for you like a mother. She raised me and my eldest brother, Hajji Moses Semuwemba, my cousins Nasur Kibirige (her favourite grandson) and Meddie Sebunya, and several other orphans at our homes at Kisega(Kangulumira) and Kawempe. These days, many grandmothers are raising grandkids, and we need to support them.

There’s a lady who came to our home at Kisega as a house help, but she is now a teacher by profession – thanks to Grandma. She enrolled her into school and paid for her fees until she attained an employable qualification. She’s now a member of our family and a great friend of mine.

At Kisega, the farm workers nicknamed her ‘LUSATUKA’ – because whenever someone stole something and hid it, grandma would find it unintentionally by walking towards the same direction where something is hidden.

Our grandmother was always jolly and always had a smile on her face. She liked jokes with Grandpa and had some wonderful, classy clothes. She was an excellent cook, and she could make pillawo rice and beef sauce so nicely. Her food (Iftar) during Ramadan was the best – it was a mixture of plantain, peanut butter, beef sauce, and matooke.

She wasn’t a hugger, but she found practical ways to show you that you meant something to her.

Though soft-spoken, she passed onto her children her devotion to God, her insatiable curiosity, her rugged independent and entrepreneurial spirit, her unwavering work ethic, and her philanthropic spirit. All my uncles and aunties are devoted Muslims and love Islam.

Several fond memories with my grandma stand out, but one recent memory stands above the rest. I was in Uganda and visited Kawempe in 2022. Hajjati was unwell, and she was in the bedroom; so, I made my way to the bedroom. When I opened the door, I thought she might not recognise me as I had been away from the country for nearly 10 years. To my surprise, she called out my name and started crying. She started murmuring something along the following lines, ‘I have been waiting for you. Hajji told me never to leave this house till when you come………..’’.

She warned me not to eat in people’s homes as Uganda had changed.

She couldn’t get out of bed – she wasn’t walking on her own anymore without support – she was poorly - I knew it and she knew it. I looked in her eyes – our eyes locked into each other – it was time to say goodbye. We both knew that we might not see each other again forever till the next world, Inishallah. So, I started processing her death in 2022 and I think it has found me ready; just like grandpa’s death found me ready and strong.

Coincidentally, my wife and kids were in Uganda two weeks ago and visited Hajjati. They took photos with her, but I could tell from the photos and videos that she didn’t have so long to live. Death is something we should all accept and find a way to move on.

I will miss Hajjati so much. The precious wisdom from her lived example and few but memorable words will live on. She was a remarkable woman and very beautiful physically.

Rest in peace, grandma. Inalilahi wahinailayihi rajiuna!