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
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
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