My mother’s legacy is in the tapestry of people
whom she touched during her life, and there are many threads.
- She was a benefactor and was involved in community projects including but not exhaustively- local Church choir,Women's Sewing project to enhance their financial independence; support for soldiers / ex soldiers wives and children ;looked after several neighbours children many of whom she fed, dressed and educated.
- She was an astute business woman and formed many positive contacts : Akiiki Nyakana , Muky. Rukambuza , Sayuni Atenyi etc and traversed Uganda trading in timber, coffee, cattle as well as one time running a lock up shop in Hoima Town. She travelled to Zaire (as it was known then ) ,Dubai and UK in persuit of her business interests.
- She formed many relationships outside business and her teaching profession including Judicial officials , public servants , clergy of various religious denominations and her simplicity in life endeared her to many ordinary people. She was comfortable in the company of Judges, ministers, Permanent Secretaries , Bishops as she was with peasants.
- Children with Justice C.M.Kato (now retired) included Olive N Kyeyune;Annette Basemera, Oscar Katusiime, Florence Karungi (RIP) ,Edgar M Kato (RIP), Judith Kato, Eden N Kato, Michael Wobusobozi and Jacquiline Alinaitwe. She had a warm , loving and caring relationship with all her children and she loved them equally imparting to us values of togetherness, cooperation, leadership and love of faith.
- My own relationship with mum and impression of her : *She was a loving mother and had abundance of love. *taught me compassion for others and charity *taught me trust and loyalty *imparted in me principles which have helped me to be the person that I am today including kindness , strong faith , hope ,focus on education and learning and high standards in everything of course-Mum was classy!
- Her guidance continues . I found her Bible the other day she had asked one day if there was a Bible ) and I found she had annotated the following passages which each had a message :
- *Psalm 17
*Psalm 22
*Psalm 33 & 34
*Psalm 69 & 71 to mention a few.
And so she speaks to us still . I pray ever be alert to her guidance.
- Mum loved music of all types and genres -my siblings have told of this love but my memories are her love of Gospel music in her later years including music by Rev.Okudi- Wipolo and Titi Tabel in a song called YesuNize . There several including Judith Babirye. She loved Afropop music including a song by Magola of Afrigo Band called Obangaina which often brought a smile to her face when she sang it.
- Akiiki (mum) I love You and I hear your voice in the following words. Death is nothing at all I have only slipped away into the next room I am I and you are you Whatever we were to each other That we are still Call me by my old familiar name Speak to me in the easy way you always used Put no difference into your tone Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow Laugh as we always laughed At the little jokes we always enjoyed together Play, smile, think of me, pray for me Without the ghost of a shadow in it Life means all that it ever meant It is the same as it ever was There is absolute unbroken continuity What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind Because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval Somewhere very near Just around the corner All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost One brief moment and all will be as it was before How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! S
-