THOUSANDS THRONG KACUMBIRO TO BID FAREWELL TO CANON VERINAH RUJOKI.

By Musa Rwamigoye 

On Friday, the hills Of Kacumbiro Rushere Town Council, Kiruhura District came to a standstill as thousands of mourners from all corners of Uganda and from all walks of life thronged the ancestral home to give Canon Verinah Rujoki a beftting and dignified send-off. 

Anyone who attended the send-off, realized that Canon Verinah was not just an ordinary mother but a celebrated educationist, a servant of God as a Canon in the Anglican Church, a matriarch, philanthropist and the mother of friendly snd wise children like the Commissioner General of the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Mr. John Musinguzi Rujoki, Hon. Ruth Mushabe, District Woman MP Kiruhura, Eng. Sheeba Kyobutungi Kusasira, Chief statehouse transport department, Mr. James Musherure Rujoki, Senior National Content Officer (Petroleum Authority Uganda) and Senior farmer, Madam Celia Kansiime Barigye.

Her burial attracted a rare mix of Ugandans, a true testament to the life she lived and the children she raised. They included the business community, politicians, religious leaders from all denominations where by five Anglican Bishops were present, Civil and public servants, he entire Kiruhura community, pupils she taught, and her clan of Bene Rukaari.

 

In a heartfelt tribute, friends from the Rev. Canon Hende family and the family of the Late Rutamwebwa eulogized Canon Verinah as a hardworking, prayerful pillar who single-handedly spearheaded the Construction of the Rushere Mothers’ Union Hall. In recognition of her immense contribution, the Hende family formally requested the North Ankole Diocese to rename the mothers’ union hall Canon Verinah Mothers Union Hall in her memory.

In their eulogy, Bishop Patrick Kwefuga and Maama Eseza Byentaro described Canon Verinah as a steadfast Christian woman whose devotion to her community was pure and blameless. They fondly remembered her extraordinary act of faith when she fully sponsored a group of Christians from Kiruhura on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Jerusalem, Israel.

 

With a trembling voice, Bishop Kwefuga said he will never, in his entire life, forget what Canon Verinah did for him. 

He recounted a time when many Christians in Kiruhura only dreamed of stepping on the Holy Land, but could not afford it. Canon Verinah, out of her deep Christian faith and generosity, fully sponsored Christians from Kiruhura, including him, on a pilgrimage to Israel.

 

Mzee Tom Kayangire and Maama Rosette Byengoma gave profound historical account of who Canon Verinah truly was a child of the East African Revival Movement. They eulogized her as a girl born into the deeply prayerful family of the late Yosamu Kafuniza, a family that carried the fire off the Revival. 

In an era when educating a girl-child was considered taboo and a waste of resources, Verinah defied all cultural odds. From lbanda, in the early days when few girls went to school, she became one of the first girls to embrace education and train as a teacher. 

At a time when girls were prepared only for early marriage, she stood as a girl-child education activist, yet she remained a deeply cultural and respectful woman. She proved that a woman could be educated, empowered, and still uphold culture and faith.

Her sons-in-laws Dan, Max, Enock and Denis eulogized her as a loving mother-in-law who always encouraged them to work hard and live a total Christian life. 

Dan Mushabe said that their mother-in-law was truly a loving mother. When we came to marry her daughters, our mother-in-law never disturbed us with material demands or pressure about dowry. For her, what mattered was not wealth, but that her daughters were marrying hardworking, God-fearing men. She valued marriage over money and never treated us as in-laws, but as her own sons. 

She constantly encouraged us to work hard and to live a fully committed Christian life. She was humble to the point that she would even seek business ideas from us, and we would faithfully help her. Above she loved our children dearly and took it upon herself to teach them t how to pray.

 

All her children in unison praised her as a loving, caring, and deeply spiritual mother who raised them with one purpose: to live a humble life and to know God. 

Her last born, James Musherure Rujoki, emotionally thanked her for being the family’s chief lobbyist and connector. In an emotional tribute, James, credited his late mother for the success of the children. 

In the most emotional moment of the burial, Musherure James wept as he eulogized his mother. He narrated that he was born in 1986 as a miracle. After his mother gave birth to Celia Kansiime at Kisizi Hospital, his father, Rev. Canon Rujoki, had insisted she go for family planning. Even the doctor advised her to do so.  

But Verinah refused, because she still desired to have a baby boy. Her r. husband then warned her that if she got pregnant again, that child would not be considered in his budget. 

“But by a miracle, my mother conceived and gave birth to me, a baby boy. When my father saw that I physically looked exactly like him, he accepted me and agreed to add me on his budget” Musherure narrated amidst tears.

Therefore, I thank my mother for being brave and giving birth to me as her last born, despite all the pressure to stop giving birth. If not for her courage, I would not be here today.

Honestly, Hon. Ruth is a Member of Parliament today because of my mother and my late father. My sister Sheba works in State House because of our mother. Our brother John Musinguzi is Commissioner General of URA and people salute him because of our mother. And as for me, I was able to study a Petroleum course because Maama personally took me to the President and asked him to educate me.

Her daughter, Celia Kansiime, shared how her parents inspired her career change.

“I left my good job at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to venture into farming because of the advice and admiration of her father’s farming” she said.

She revealed that in 2016, she was ranked the best farmer in the country and it t was in that same year that their beloved father, Rev. Canon Rujoki, passed away.

 

Her daughters-in-law eulogized her as a faithful mother-in-law who trained them to be responsible family women. 

Christine Musinguzi, wife of URA Commissioner General John Musinguzi, left mourners in both laughter and tears. She said her mother-in-law was always ready with instrumental advice. 

“There was a time my husband would come home very late because of his job, and in her wisdom, she advised me to pretend to be divorcing or I bring in little jerousy, Christine narrated. 

“Instead of just telling me to be patient, she told me, “My daughter, go and tell him you want a divorce. She said I if pretend to divorce him, he will start coming home early like other men!”

“Where will lever get such wise and funny advice now that my mother-in-law is gone?” she wept.

 

To show that Canon Verinah was not an ordinary person, even the First Lady, Maama Janet Museveni, and His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni sent eulogies to celebrate her life. Their messages, read to the mourners described the late as a virtuous woman, a pillar of the church, and a mother who raised leaders who have served the nation with distinction.

In the message of the First Lady read by Musinguzi John, Mama Janet recalled how Can Verinah was their teacher a Bweranyangi Junior and she considers her as a sister, friend and above all a fellow pilgrimage in the journey of faith. She describes her as an exemplary leader, educationis who raised a wonderful family with a reflection of the values of faith and integrity. Mama Janet thanked Musinguzi John for reflecting Christian values in public sector.

Quoting Mzee’s message read by Minister Bright Rwamirama, His Excellency said that while 85 years is good age, I believe she would have even made more years even of her family used to live up to 100 years. H.E noted that Verinah’s father Yosamu Kafuniza was his maternal uncle.

John Musinguzi is making a recommendable work in URA, Ruth is representing people of Kiruhura in the parliament and Sheba serves as chief transport officer statehouse. I can confirm that children of Lay Canon Verinah and Rev. Canon John Rujoki have emulated their parents strong ethics and patriotism.

“At personal level, Verinah was truthful, honest woman and deeply committed to God. She was also strong and steadfast supporter of NRM revolution having offered a strong support to our fighters during the bush war” H.E Museveni said.

 

John Musinguzi Rujoki, eulogized his mother as a woman who perfectly balanced hard work and deep faith. 

“My mother had both action and faith in all her works and dreams,” Musinguzi said. 

Whatever she planned to do had side of faith. To her, God was everything.

Musinguzi and Musherure thanked His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for loving their family and for making them what they are today. 

“We as a family are what we are today because President Museveni loved us and supported us through our mother,” Musherure said.

 

Bishop Alfred Muhoozi of North Ankole Diocese ended saying that many people are called but few are chosen and blessed. Can Verinah was chosen and blessed. 

Emeritus Bishop Muhanguzi thanked Canon Verinah and Rev. Canon John Rujoki for working hard to elevate Rushere C.O.U from Parish status to Archdeaconry and to a Diocese. 

 

BIOGRAPHY OF LAY CANON VERINAH RUJOKI.

Maama was born on 28th December 1940 to the late and service Evelyn Kafuniza. Hers was a life devoted to God. Family, Yosamu and to humanity.

She gave her life to Jesus Christ in 1957. Beginning a lifelong journey of faith that shaped every aspect of her life. A devoted Christian and fervent prayer warrior. She was not merely a hearer of the Word but a doer, whose life was a testimony of God’s faithfulness.

In 1969. She married her beloved husband, the late Rev. Canon John Rujoki with whom she built a family grounded in faith and Christian values.

Education and Career

She pursued her education at Mbarara Junior School. Bweranyangi and Bishop Stuart, where she attained a Diploma in Education. She later obtained a Diploma in Adult Education from Makerere University.

She dedicated much of her professional life to teaching, serving at Bweranyangi Girls’ School, Kibubura Girls’ School, Mbarara Junior, Nyabwihikye Primary School and finally Rushere Primary School where she retired. Through her teaching career, she nurtured and influenced generations of young people.

Children . 

Hon Ruth Rujoki Mushabe .

  John Musinguzi Rujoki .

 Lt. Peter Mubanze (RIP) . 

 Mary Kamukama Migisha.

Sheba Kyobutungi Kusasira .

 Celia Kansiime Barigye .

 James Musherure Rujoki .