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

#rememberingmargaretssali ~ John Mpagi

#rememberingmargaretssali 

 I last talked to auntie Margaret on January 1st 2020.  And she was as usual full of enthusiasm for life and small talk about her favorite subject, Bobi Wine and on and on, never running out of chit-chat and laughter!  When on Sunday March 29th Beaty sent information from Xtine that Auntie wasn’t feeling well & fallen but was resting and we could give her a call later, I never got the chance to do so!  When three days later, on Wednesday April 1st, Beaty again sent word that Auntie had been taken by ambulance to the hospital I still held out hope, with auntie’s contiguous enthusiasm for life, that she would make it. I was wrong!  May her soul RIP! 

 Loving nephew,  John Mpagi 
 Silver Spring, MD USA

Loving Mum, Sister, Grandmother ~Esita Nabwami Kiwana Buwembo

Auntie Margaret Ssali – Loving Mum, Sister, Grandmother
When my mother Margaret Kiwana was a new widow in 1973, Auntie Margaret and her mother Jaaja (Kitezi) adopted my mum and her children.
Jaaja gave Maama the ‘tough love’ she needed telling her to focus on what she could do to bring up the 6 children. Jaaja also shared her experiences and gave her plenty of practical advice. Auntie Margaret helped Maama overcome her fears of not being able to do things that only our father used to do with us. One of them was the fear of not being able to save us if we came into difficulty in water. So Auntie Gibwa Kanyerezi and Auntie Margaret arranged swimming lessons at the Police swimming pool in Kibuli (Not sure if it is still there). The three of them and us kids would go every Tuesday and Thursday. Maama was able to conquer her fears of the water and learn basic lifesaving skills.
Even after the Ssali family left Uganda for Kenya and later the UK in the early 80’s Auntie Margaret would keep up with what Maama and her children were doing not sure how as telephone communications were not as easy back then.
In the mid-eighties I was walking aimlessly underneath Oxford street when i literally bumped into her daughters Christine and Gloria. After the screaming was over Christine said “you have to come home with us Mummy won’t believe we found you. She was talking and praying about you only this morning.” Auntie Margaret had said to Christine “Maama yagamba nti Nabwami alimu London munno” look for her. She kept emphasizing on my Luganda name just to make to make it clear it was me they had been talking about.
I didn’t believe her I thought Christine was exaggerating. I travelled back with them to their home in Harrow. As we walked in, I hid behind Gloria and Christine went into the kitchen and asked her mum “Who were asking about this morning I think I may know where they are? Auntie Margaret immediately said Nabwami and when Christine said, “we found her”. I jumped out of hiding and the poor woman burst into tears that is love.
She was always looking out for others; her love knew no bounds. She would always ask about her clan sister/friend “Mukulu wange alyata” Auntie you had a knack of making us all feel special we will miss you. Right now, we are still in disbelief that we will only be able to see your smile in photos.
Rest in peace Auntie Margaret

Esita Nabwami Kiwana Buwembo
London, UK

Love you Always ~ Maggie Nakyanzi

I loved Aunt Maggie like a mother. 

She always greeted me with only kisses and hugs. 

May she rest Well. 

Maggie Nakyanzi

Kampala, Uganda

My Memories of Aunty ~ Geraldine Namuli Ssali.

Awwwwww what an amazing Aunt she was...

My Dad and Uncle Charles were very close cousins, called each other brothers. So when we were kids these brothers did family trips together, National Parks and all, weekend hangouts  roasting Goats meat and we kids were always in tow.

Aunt Margaret was so beautiful and I just wanted to be around her all the time. We had sleepovers in Kitante and Aunty always had fun stories to tell.

When they moved to Kenya my baby sister Juliana and I would visit and Aunty always took us shopping...

Aunty Bena Namuli Kiwanuka was my darling Godmother and so so close to Aunty Margaret so a visit to the the Kiwanukaz meant seeing and getting bunches of love from Aunty Margaret.

Her beauty and her love I always marvelled at.

The memory of her that is forever etched in my soul was when she and my cousin Peter Kiwanuka were tasked to tell me that my dad had passed away...

She did it with so much calm and love I'll never forget her voice and her exact words....

Of late Aunty was sending me lovely messages on FB messenger quite often, telling me she always thinks of me and she loves me... 

She always called me my beautiful daughter Gerry.....

Aunty thank you for loving me and surely something beautiful remains❤️

RIP 🙏.

Geraldine Namuli SSali.

Boston, MA USA

A Letter to you Auntie ~ Gerry Ssali

Dear Aunt Margaret.

Aunts have no wands or wings,

So they work with wisdom, love, and things.

Having taken on this role,

You loved me right down to my soul.

You offered kindness

And greetings with a hug and kiss,

Each freely out of love which I will miss.

I chose a twinkling star in the sky at night ,

To say a prayer for you to it’s bright light.

You’re in God’s Heavens now and no longer in pain,

In my thoughts, you’ll always remain

How lucky I was,

How blessed I’ve been,

You were more than my Aunt,

You were also my friend.

I love you and miss you Aunty Margaret.

RIP.

Gerry Ssali

Boston, MA USA

A Tribute to Aunty Margaret Ssali ~ The Lubega Family

We will always remember aunty Margaret Ssali fondly as a loving auntie, mother, Senga, comforter and friend. 

Words cannot express our deep sorrow at her passing, alone in a London hospital.
She was snatched from us in the blink of an eyelid by a miniscule piece of RNA, Covid 19, with a fatty coat. 

We couldn't say goodbye. We didnt see your smile nor hear your laughter for one last time; you were gone so quickly, from the time we learned of your hospitalisation to the moment you breathed your last. Mourn we must, but celebrate your life and person we will.

Aunty Margaret was a peer to our mother and her namesake, Margaret Lubega. They were born around the same time on hills Kiteetikka and Komamboga overlooking each other across Gayaza Road.
They both married highly accomplished professional men and trailblazers in their chosen fields...Professor Ssali a renowned ENT surgeon and researcher, Dr Anthony Lubega one the first indigenous architects in Uganda. They all came from staunch Catholic families in Buddu.
Both Margarets had a sojourn in England with their young families in the 1960s, aunty Margaret in the nursing profession, Mummy Margaret in the airline industry. They were to reconnect once they got back to Uganda through their children.

Christine Ssali, one of aunty Margaret's daughters was a great friend of Rebecca Kabenge at Mt St Mary's Namagunga. Rebecca, our maternal cousin, is the daughter of aunty Marjorie Kabenge a friend to aunty Margaret Ssali. Christine and Rebecca shared grub; the grub keepers were Grace Muwawu and Pros Lubega who were cousins to the two. So aunty Margaret and Mum met often on parenting duties the grounds of Namagunga.

It was sometime in the early 1980s that the young children of the Drs Ssali and Kanyerezi were bumped off a flight from Entebbe to Nairobi and were stuck at the airport during those difficult years full of insecurity in the country. Our mother brought the children home for the night and made sure that they were the first to get seats on the morning flight to Nairobi.

One cool evening in the maternity ward of Mulago hospital, a new mother, Rose Lubwama
was happily gazing at her one day old daughter Jakki Nanteza Lubwama. In walked aunty Margaret, all smiles, powdered and fresh scented, a tight belt across a neat patterned frock with comfortable walking shoes, like a true London trained nurse. She was on a social call to visit the new mother, a daughter and niece to her friends Margaret and Marjorie. Within no time, she had reassured Rose and changed the nappy of baby Jakki much to the relief of Rose and her sister Pros who was in the room with her, then a third year medical student; they were both novices in folding the cotton nappies of old into perfect triangles to fit the baby snuggly.

The Ssali and Lubega families continued to interact socially. One afternoon at a wedding, Prof Ssali noticed Dr Lubega's hoarse voice and with concern urged him to promptly get it checked out and recommending a colleague to do it. As Professor feared, it turned out to be cancerous. During Dad's long stay in Mulago hospital, the Ssalis were frequent visitors, he advising on matters medical and nutrition, she gently comforting and reassuring Mum as only a friend could, to be stoic in nursing her beloved husband. Aunty Margaret was always warm, always sunny.

Sometime in the 1990s, Professor Ssali and aunty Margaret gave their precious daughter Christine to marry into their friend Margaret Lubega's family. Christine married Stephen Kasalirwe, nephew to Margaret. It was with much excitement and celebration that Christine was welcomed into the family.
And the story continues. It was with such joy recently that both families learned of the betrothal of Dr Peter Wasswa Muwonge a nephew to aunty Margaret to Ms Juliana Nakawesa Lubwama, Rose's daughter. There was excitement all round. Aunty Margaret jetted in from London for the pre wedding festivities. She had a bandage on her leg for some wound but this didn't prevent her from partaking of the feast with her radiant smile and hearty laughter. She would return to her native Uganda in one of her last trips to witness the wedding.
The two Margaret's gave each other jewels, one a daughter, the other a granddaughter.
And so it is with sadness that we mourn the passing of aunty Margaret, grateful to have known her and for a life well lived.

From the Lubega family of Entebbe
Uganda

Maama ~ Ssubi M. Kiwanuka.

It is sad that Maama, not Maama Margaret but rather Maama has passed away. Nze sibadde mukko, rather mwaana. 

Mky. Margaret Ssali welcomed me with open arms and a lot of love, from the onset, which made my general relationship with all my in laws good and harmonious. As a husband to her youngest child and daughter Grace, the qualities Maama always upheld of love, integrity, grace, patience and hard work, I find in my wife.

But I cannot eulogize Mky. Margaret Ssali. The decade or so that I have had the pleasure of knowing her,  does not allow such presumption for a life so full and well lived. But this I can say.

She loved her children. She loved her family. She loved her grandchildren. She loved and made good friends. She was loved. She was a lady.

Mukama amuuwe e kiwumulo e kye mirembe.

Ssubi M. Kiwanuka.

Kampala, Uganda

Remembering Jajja - Nakasi N. Nansamba

I remember when Jajja was in Uganda, I would stay with her all the time. I would sleep with her and eat with her. It was bliss!

Every morning when I woke up she was always awake before me. She would give me a pinch of sugar and a pinch of salt to start the day. 

Soon after breakfast would be ready, it was always porridge. Jajja said it ensured healthy brain development. I remember I would always try my best to eat quickly because I knew she would sing for me her special song Digida. 

After breakfast Jajja would always bathe me and I never objected. After a good bath we would both brush our teeth before Jajja went to bathe. 

Once all of this was over it was time to play. Jajja would pull out a bag of toys from the spare bedroom and bring it out to the the veranda for me to the select the toys I wanted.  While I was playing, Jajja would go back  back inside the house to perform her daily duties.

 After an hour or so we would pack away all the toys and get ready to go to the shops to do grocery shopping, we would also go to many other places. I enjoyed this very much because I would always get ice cream. When we got back to Jajja's house it would be time for me to go back home. This routine was practiced almost every weekend.

 When Jajja went to England to stay there for a while I was very sad, but I chose to wait for her to come back. And she did, but it was always for short periods of time and every time I got to see her it was only for a few minutes because it was a school day.

 So as you can imagine, when I heard Jajja wasn't ever coming back I was devastated. I envied all those who had seen her while she was still around. I hope I never forget any thing Jajja and I did together.

Nakasi N. Nansamba 
Kampala, Uganda

Fond memories of Auntie ~ Judy Namanda Kikonyogo

Many memories of Auntie 

1.Her love for her husband:  the way she called my uncle Charles- Chaz, it was with so much love. Even after he was gone , always made it seem as if he was still alive.

2. One of the funniest moments: in my S4 vacation in London, we went to drop someone at the airport. When we came back to the parking lot, she couldn’t remember which floor or exact place we had parked. We went around the parking like 30 times and she just kept saying katonda watu, katonda watu oba emotoka najilesse wa... and me I just kept following her around and smiling wondering what was going to happen to us if we didn’t find the car. But luckily we finally found it and poor lady was so late for work.

3. My “ahaa” moment - always said never allow your househelp to cook the sauce, they can cook the food but the sauce, they have to keep tasting to see if salt is enough... in the process ka saliva goes in the sauce🙈🙈🙈

4. Touching moment: when I was hopitalized for a month at IHK-she religiously came every other day with blended beetroot juice with garlic... at one point I wanted to tell her auntie that’s enough..., but was scared to hurt her feelings. And she would bring enough to put in the Fridge...for the days she wouldn’t make it.  Eventually I told her my blood levels were now ok.. then she started bringing sugar cane every time she came and I was like auntie...

5. When I had my kids- she told me thank you for naming them names that glorify God- my kids names are Malaika and Mikisa.

6. Prayers: she religiously sent us prayer books from

London whenever she saw someone coming. Encouraged us to read them and pray religiously.

7. Never forgot our birthdays... and whenever we spoke she always said say hello to darlings- meaning mwami and yes darlings with an s.

Thank you auntie for being there for our entire family. Will miss you so much but am sure you are telling uncle and Annemarie all the stories on earth😂😂.

Rest In Peace Auntie Maggie.

Judy Namanda Kikonyogo

Kampala, Uganda

Celebrating Aunty Margaret ~ Florence I. N Kabenge

Aunty Margaret, the pain and the scar you have left behind for all of us cannot be described.

It is very sad that you just slipped through our hands.

However, hard as this may be to accept, I have chosen to celebrate you and to Thank God for your life.

Aunty, it was an absolute pleasure and an honour to know you.

Thank you for the love and care you showed me, Douglas and our children.

May God's Angels receive your beautiful soul and may you rest in Eternal peace. 

We will miss you dearly and you will forever be cherished in our hearts.

Love you always,

Your Niece, Mrs. Florence I. N.Kabenge.
Kampala, Uganda

The Wonderful Soul of Margaret Ssali ~ Douglas Kabenge

It was with great sadness that we learned of the sickness and eventual death of a wonderful soul in the names of Margaret Ssali.
I personally first met her in my adult life, in Harrow, London back in 1989. The warm person that she was, she invited me for lunch at her home at 24 Kenton road, soon after she learned that I was in the UK.
Her cheeky self introduced me to her children with a stern warning that they were my sisters...she didn't have to say much more. She later let  me know that she was my Great Grandmother, having been appointed heir to the mother of my maternal grandmother. From then on, I related to her with the respect that was required of a great grandson to a great grandmother - though often she would disregard the same and simply draw me into her warm self.
Fate led me to the arms of her niece - Florence Immaculate Bazekuketta, with whom we share a marriage and there was Great grandmother Margaret always cautioning me to make the best of the marriage, to ensure that 'simuswazanga'. This was a statement she went on to say to me in private, whenever we met - which was often, between 2000 and 2019 when I last met her.
The family of the late Israel Namusota Bossa of Lungujja, are heartbroken at this ordeal, of a person that they referred to as Jajja, for she was the heir to their maternal grandmother. They extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Prof. Charles Lwanga Ssali, at the loss of their beloved mother.
Similarly, the family of the late Christopher Kasirye Kabenge of Busega, Kyadondo, mourn with you the loss of our great Granny.
We draw strength from the hope that time shall afford us a meeting in the future.
We place her soul before God, as we say 'eternal rest, grant unto Margaret Ssali, and let perpetual light shine unto her.

May her soul rest in peace, Amen.

Douglas Kabenge
Kampala, Uganda

My Seasons with Aunty Margaret ~ Naki Kanyerezi Lubega

Auntie Margaret shall be truly missed by many people I have so many memories of her in my life. I can divide these into various seasons in my life as a child in primary school & As a teenager and young adult.

Auntie Margaret was one of my mothers best friends, our fathers worked in the same hospital, the Ssali residence was opposite our school and her daughter Christine was my classmate from P1to P7 and we always sat close to one another the entire time. These were factors that united the Ssali’s  and Kanyerezi’s all those years ago and this is where the journey of auntie Margaret  becoming  a mother to us begun. 

The numerous times we walked from school and went to the Ssali’s home cannot be counted. She would welcome us with her gentle voice, smile and warm embrace and we would quickly fall in line with the home routine being ushered by her to bathe, get changed, eat dinner and settle down on a long table where we would do our homework. She was strict, orderly, gentle and funny all at the same time.

  Christine and I would always be reminded on how we needed to look after the rest of the kids, as we were older, so she participated greatly in teaching me a sense of responsibility and nurturing which our mother would continue to nurture. Her gift in hospitality was immense and if our parents were held up longer than expected she would put us to bed and get in touch with them and tell them not to bother picking us up as we were spending the night. There was always room for one more in her home despite the fact that we were 4 kids plus her 7 children!

The second season came when we were in secondary school and our parents were in exile in Nairobi, Kenya.  We lived about 10 minute’s walk from each other in Hurlingham, Nairobi. This was a season in which I witnessed the growing relationship of friendship between our mothers Gibwa & Margaret.  It was amazing to witness, as they would do everything together. 

They would wake up to say good morning and then plan their day and decide which events they would do together. Going to the market or supermarket was an event they did together and as if that was not enough,  they would get home and start to talk about what food are you cooking that day.  They would have further discussions and end up cooking the same food. So it didn't matter where you were,  the menu would be the same! 

Grace Ssali was young at the time and didn’t like to eat,  so feeding her was a big event.  Auntie stipulated a condition that in order for  Christine and I to go out and play, Grace had to be fed first!   So I would go over to help Christine complete her chore before we would  both be released.   On numerous occasions they discussed how to deal with us as kids and so we were really mothered by two mothers. 

The separation of these two families came about when the Ssalis moved to England. It was never a separation of relationship, just distance.

Auntie Margaret your Gentle voice, genuine smile, warm embrace, strictness, gentleness

,sense of humor, always laughing, loyalty, hospitality, friendship & love will remain with us forever rest in piece.

Naki Kanyerezi Lubega
Kampala, Uganda

Auntie Margaret Ssali ~ Betty Lwanga

Auntie Margaret Ssali
The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart [Helen Keller]
Auntie your love to me was special and will be treasured, my beautiful auntie am going to miss you beyond words.
Auntie was an exceptional woman, she made everyone she knew feel special and loved.
We bonded over several things but our love for mamma Mary was extra special, I love mama Mary, she loved mama Mary, my mum loved mama Mary. She loved her rosary.
I will treasure all the good times we shared and spent together attending retreats as well as the times she has been there for me in the most difficult hard times. She would always remember the good days and the not so great days.
We would talk three or four and at times more each week. I last spoke to Auntie on Sunday 29thMarch 2020 around 2200, noted she was coughing, and she said to me ‘Oh I will be ok, am feeling better now’. I went to work the next day and when I finished it was late so I said to myself I will call her tomorrow Tuesday 31st March and instead Christine calls me.
Auntie: am going to miss you so much, your unconditional love, your kindness, your wisdom, advice, our chats, your laughter and smile.
Auntie Margaret you were a rare diamond and as Seneca writes: One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood

Love,
Betty Lwanga
London, UK

Senga Maggie Nansaba Ssali ~ Harriet N. Musoke

Banange kitalo nyo nyo bakwano ba Senga Maggie

I have lots to say about my auntie naaye allow me to mention a few.

1. I became very close to senga in 1980 when i was 12 years

2. My Dad took me to the UK for my P7 vac and I stayed with auntie 

3. She bought me my first track suit. It was Red and told me 'You liked it very much so you can have it from M and S'

4. S4 vac I returned to London and we did so many things together which I wont mention

5. S6 vac I returned to London

6. After campus in 1993 on my way to the USA, my Dad had only purchased a ticket to the UK, so I told him the it was ok  I would  work and pay for my ticket to the USA .

7. In 1995 I was graduating for my masters in USA  and of course my first guest apart from my parents, was auntie Maggie.

8. In 1995 i introduced my current husband Paul Bukenya Musoke, of the engambi clan to auntie Maggie and she fell in  love with Paul Musoke as her niece was also head over heels in love with Paul.

8. When Paul finally agreed to kwanjula, I had none other than Ssenga Nansamba Ssali to pick as Senga owwe esonga

9. My Dad loved THIS lady UNTILL one day I asked him why and he said when I was kwanering your Mum I picked her up at PROF and Maggie Ssali's home. And since that time, their friendship became tight that even before he made a move with Mum, he would ask her if she had informed Auntie 

10. Auntie loved me. Auntie made me laugh!

She wd send many videos on the meeru chat and then she wd also send them to me

So one day a cousin told me eeh Harriet, how do we deal with auntie tgose bi videos 😂

How do we give feedback? I am like, yiyi dont worry I will call her. She just said "daughter at times I even dont watch what I have sent" and we LOL and moved on

Auntie yampana and always said I am the most beautiful niece she ever recieved mu bana ba  uncle Tanansi and then she would say how PM was the most handsome man on earth 😎

We cried together through my 25 year journey with PM. I want to THANK my hubby on behalf of my Senga for loving me and for respecting what Senga always said we do.

There is a time we had a big domestic issue and PM paid a ticket for auntie to fly in and solve our issues.  All she said was  "Muwala wange lets kneel and apologize, dont say a word. Am like yiyi? She is like "kugambye WE are going to kneel and just apologize"🙄

We celebrated together 

My kids knew her as the best Jajja ever, after their biological Jajja's. She always remembered my birthday and sure my last conversation on whats app was 15th march 2020 where she calls and sings for you. Auntie Iwill MISS you

Birthday Messages from Auntie Maggie

Hariett Nabakooza Musoke

Kampala, Uganda

Remembering Aunty Margaret ~ Beaty Kiwanuka

Aunty Margaret came into my life when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I remember it so distinctly because she was the most beautiful lady I had ever seen. It turns out that the reason they were staying with us at the time, was because they were newly weds and this was their honeymoon. She and my mother became inseparable and the excitement in the house was palpable.  She would later tell me that my mother would prepare the bath for her and scrub her down....since she was a bride!  I imagine that must have been the time they became fast friends, she having married my Mom's dashing cousin...my Uncle Charles Ssali.

Over the years, she and Mummy were like peas in a pod, they had the same hairstyle - which was a short pixie hairdo, they both loved dressing up in beautiful bright colors and they were both somewhat pleasantly plump. I used to think all mothers were supposed be that way!
Even though my Mom was ahead of her in the number of kids she had  (7 being the final tally) Aunty Margaret quickly caught up and she eventually had her 7 kids as well.

We would spend all the holidays with them and inevitably my younger siblings and my cousins came up with a nickname for everybody...The Bidas (pronounced By-Daz). So if you were going over to the Ssali's house,  you were going to the Bidas house and sometimes you may just be Biding?  Don't ask what that means, its just Biding talk! The name stuck....I still sometimes address Christine as Bida and she refers to me as Bida, much to the chagrin of anyone eavesdropping!

 But I digress, back to Aunty Margaret. As I mentioned earlier, she and Mummy were great friends and spent loads of time gossiping as most young women do.  But Aunty's stories were always so entertaining, so I always snuck around to eavesdrop, but would inevitably get caught when I let out an unrestrained chuckle. Like the time Aunty came rushing home and called out to my Mum, "Bena, Bena, Omanyi gwensanze mukatale?" I snuck behind a sofa and listened..." Omwana Margaret musanze , nemubuza...sigwe Margaret?' and cliff hanger here..."Omwana nangamba nti si yeye,  nga ate yeye". I let out a squeal. This could only happen to Aunty Margaret!

Aunty Margaret was always such a joy to be around and always made you feel so special, like you were number one in her life. Like the time she offered me a job of being Christine's tutor. I was so excited I couldn't believe it....My very first paying job!! I think I was in S2 or S3. Everybody thought it was a joke, except me and Aunty. I set out to prepare my lessons for Christine and put her through the wringer! Years later she told me that she thought she was coming over to play with Lillian, but I made her study hard! Aunty rewarded me with my first perfume...I was over the moon!

I am going to miss her laughter and her constant stream of life lessons that she always dolled out, whether you wanted to hear it or not. She always told me to be good to others even if they aren't so nice to you,  because you are banking your "goodness points" for when you leave this world.

The last time I saw her in Uganda, we spent a lot time traversing our little neighborhood in Rubaga as she would stop and say hello to everybody. At one point I said...Aunty they don't know you and she responded "eh, Baja kumanya, kambabuuze".

A few days later, we ended up attending Mass at Mrs Sebutemba's house. I had agreed to go, on the assumption that it would probably be a quick Mass etc. Wrong! After Mass, I nudged Aunty that perhaps we should leave? She responded tersely 'No, because they were about to serve dinner and we cannot leave "Faza" to eat dinner alone!'  I was like ok. We stayed for dinner and that went on for a while...because "Faza" had a whole pile of food on his plate and besides Aunty was absolutely adamant that we shouldn't leave before Faza finished!
Eventually, Faza finished his food  around 9:00pm and the dishes where cleared away. So I nudged Aunty again. She looked at me and said we can't leave because 'amazina gagenda kutandika!'  I was like what? This is in the middle of the night (9:00pm) on weekday and we're outside under the stars!
She insisted we stay for the dancing. So we stayed and stayed. By 11:30pm I could see Aunty was just getting warmed up, I told her I had to go home, since we hadn't told my Dad were we were going. We eventually left her there and she partied on till the wee hours.

She enjoyed life to the fullest. I look back fondly on that festive night and hold it as one of my fondest memories of Aunty. She introduced me to Mrs Sebutemba and her family, they are now my friends too. She was indeed an Angel and I was lucky to have known her.

Fair thee well, my beautiful Aunty.
Till we meet again!

xox
Beaty Kiwanuka
Atlanta, GA USA