Auntie Margaret to so many. ~ Jim and Jackie Kiwanuka

A Wonderful Mom, Grandma, Auntie and Friend to so many.

Dear Aunty Margaret, 

We were gripped with consternation when we heard you had been rushed to the hospital.  We requested and offered healing prayers and our Father Dan Learly prayed for the breath of God to give you life. What we had in mind at the time was different from what God has granted you - everlasting life. 

Thank you for caring, for loving, for your warmth and generosity, and for being such an inspiration. 

You remain among us as an example courage in adversity and joy of living. 

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on Aunty Margaret and on the whole world!

Love
James, Jackie, Nicholas and Jacob Kiwanuka
Silver Spring, Maryland USA

Aunty Margaret Nansamba Ssali ~ Peter Kiwanuka

Aunty Margaret was

A Wife, Mother, Aunt, Sister, Confidant, Helper, Listener,

There in your time of need, Woman of Great Faith,

Highest Devotion to Christ, Gods Good Samaritan,

Commendable Service to the Church and more…….

Global Citizen

Spending time with us,

 literally sitting down in person and giving valuable time to us during her lifetime –

In New York; in Atlanta; in Washington DC; in London; in Kent, UK, in Harrow, UK; in Kampala; in Nairobi

And keeping up with us always via internet, via phone 

Giving us her presence, always.

Aunty Margaret

May You Rest in Eternal Peace,

We love you, We will miss you!

Ever in our Hearts.

Peter Kiwanuka, Sarah Cissy Kiwanuka

Brian Kiwanuka, Jason Kiwanuka, Mark Kiwanuka

Atlanta, GA USA

TRIBUTE TO A SELFLESS LADY ~ Chris Luswata

To me she has been a Maama, a good friend, and a selfless lady. I know that what she was to me, is what she was to very many others too. I also know that what I have experienced is a small fraction of her boundless and bountiful love and dedication to her family, friends and community.

I was not born to her, but I became hers and she became mine through our extended family and social networks over the years. I fondly recall our prime encounter short of 40 years ago. I was a troubled soul just out of my teens when I took the night bus out of a troubled Uganda for a respite break in Kenya. I travelled with her late sister who was my guardian for the journey. We arrived in Nairobi in the wee hours of the morning and she was waiting for us. I was very well looked after in their home for about 12 hours before I was taken to my next destination. It was a short encounter of life long significance. From that point, she became a mother figure to me. 

This relationship was later significantly cemented when I married one of her ‘adopted’ daughters. Her children’s friends were her children, and my wife was a cherished daughter in this respect. Mukyala Ssali has been a great mother to both of us and a loving granny to our children. Where ever she has been, she has always gone out of her way to find something to send to our kids. And for us, she has dispensed her love and wisdom often without a word, but her mere smile!!

She has been a pillar of her family. An extraordinary rock. The epitome of a dotting and driven matriarch. Traditional and cosmopolitan; humble and confident; serious and amiable; diligent and industrious, but above all, selfless and religious. We send our most heartfelt condolences to her children and family to whom we are also most endeared. May the Lord comfort you, and may her fond memories console you at this difficult time.   

Her life and impact over the years has been spread in different countries across the globe. In Uganda, Kenya, UK, Middle East, America and other places that either became home to her or her family and friends. She has split her time and care for her family with that for her friends, church and community in all these places. She has been selflessly dedicated to many people, causes and institutions. I personally saw how often she ignored her age; her arthritis and other ailments; her quality time; and her financial comfort in order to do good for others. The list of good deeds is long, but her care for others when they were sick was outstanding. She was there for so many, and it is therefore additionally sad and traumatizing to think how she went through her final journey in sickness without her loved ones at her bedside. 

But I am philosophical and I have faith. I am inspired and consoled by the good that she did. I pray and believe that she was not alone and that she left the way we met 40 years ago ….. ‘in the wee hours of the morning, a troubled soul in troubled times, delivered into the open arms of a waiting angel”  

May the Lord rest her soul in peace till we meet again!!

Chris Luswata

UK

A friend indeed ~ Dr Joseph Maalo

Margaret had an exceptional personality, friendly smile, wise counsel, treated other children like her own and raised and supported many financially, developmentally , and educationally up to university qualifications.
On my part and family, she was always there for us in difficult and good times.

She was the first to show me the art of tending to a new born baby with my first born.
A friend in need.
Greatly missed.
She will always be my sister at heart.
RIP

Dr Joseph Maalo
UK

Remembering Aunt Margaret Ssali~ Maria Kiwana Kiwanuka

Aunt Margaret thank you for the care you gave to my mother and her children down the years.

For example,  thirty years ago you took the time and effort to write (and post) a certain letter to a "hotstuff" young professional in Washington DC.The letter was full of motherly concern and advice.

Aunt Margaret, I still remember and treasure every word that you wrote.

Maria Kiwana Kiwanuka

Kampala, Uganda

Dearly Beloved Auntie ~ Rosei Kavuma

We all loved Auntie Margaret, and we're going to miss her deeply! It was such Joy to have met and to have lived to know her. My cousins, who now became my children - after befitting their beloved Mom, my Ssenga Berna (RIP), often reminded me how I looked, laughed, talked and smiled like Auntie Margaret (RIP). That was when I still lived in Nairobi, Kenya. 

It wasn't until when the Ssali's moved to Nairobi that I met Auntie Margaret, and this was when I recognized that she is the Auntie my cousins always likened me to. One evening at a Party Event, some of my friends came to me and told me that they had just seen my sister. Sooner than later, Auntie Margaret came searching for me. Her friends had picked up on the resemblance, so she began looking for her sister. She introduced herself and told me,' Nzize kulaba ggwe. Bangambye nti wano waliwo muganda wange! 

Of course, as many of you may know, Auntie Margaret, was always lovely and warm to many of us who had to opportunity to meet and get to know her. She ever shared quite a few stories! During that evening in Nairobi, she told me; "Nti, 'kati okuva olwa leero oli muganda wange, tufuuse baluganda!" As we grieve now and remember her, we are also going to miss her warmth and kindness! 

While messaging with John (one of my cousins), he brought up the alikeness, saying, "you know she looked like you!" John also attached an image where Auntie Margaret was smiling away of course! This image helped me recognized the likeness in our smile! I'm not sure if John or even the rest of my other cousins (now sons and daughters ) - if they remember how all of them always remarked on my resemblance to Auntie Margaret (RIP). 

While in Nairobi, we always attended the same Church and mass with the Ssali family, at St. Paul's Chapel. Auntie Margaret would gracefully complement Edna, my daughter, "yii omwana omulungi, naye Katonda yatonda atya face eyo entono bwetyo wabula nafuna wateeka eriiso elyo eddene? Over the years we’ve continued to cross our paths, as my family voyaged between Masaka to Toronto via London. We have been privileged to know and call her a friend, and to experience Auntie Margaret's unwavering exuberance which was always in tune!

When we learned of the scary news, that she had to be taken by Ambulance to the hospital and that she ended up in the ICU, we hoped for the best given the scale and the devastation this pandemic has caused. We kept Praying and hoping for the best. Of course, our Prayers came up short, given Auntie Margaret passing. We hoped that she would experience the joy of seeing her grandchildren grow up, but then the Almighty God had other plans. Abaana – Bannange Kitalo nyo nnyo okufiirwa Maama wammwe Omugalwa! My family and I are deeply sorry for your loss, and we're Praying for your healing, strength, comfort and peace during these tough moments. Our family feels the privilege to have known and call Auntie Margaret, a friend. Her life will always be celebrated with joy and gratitude. 

Auntie Margaret; May your Soul Rest in Peace.

Rosie Kavuma and Family 

Toronto, Canada

AUNTIE MARGARET SSALI MEMORIES.~ Babirye Kiwana D'Arbela.

Auntie Margaret has been in our lives for as long as I can remember as she was a very good friend of my mother (her namesake) Margaret Kiwana.

As young children, our families used to spend a lot of time together - we attended the same primary school, extra curricular activities and of course kiddie parties!

Her lovely smile, gentle manner and kindness  are what standout to me. Auntie Margaret made everyone she spoke to feel special.

I last saw Auntie Margaret late last year when we has dinner at Christine's with my sisters. We had a great time catching up and stayed until the early hours. Little did I know that would be be the last time I saw her but I am so glad for the last happy memories.

Rest in peace Auntie Margaret and God bless your soul.

Babirye Kiwana D'Arbela.

Kampala, Uganda