Mrs Christine Erina Muwanse Wolukau-Wanambwa passed away in London the early hours of Sunday 23rd January 2022 after a long illness. She was surrounded by her family and supported by an outstanding team at Bridgeside Lodge Care Centre.

[*For information regarding the funeral arrangements please see ANNOUNCEMENTS, below.]

Christine's children Emma and Stanley would particularly like to thank the following people who came to their assistance in the time of their mother's greatest need:

Her sister Betty Kasozi-Batende, her cousins Eva Nabeta and Tom Mutyabule, her nephew Ssaka Fred, her niece Samalie Nakibuka, her friends Hope Kabakama Kasiina, Elizabeth Lule and her daughters Wanyana and Nagawa, Christine Opiyo, Noreen and John Goss, Karen McNicol, Linda Giles, Élise Agbenu, Eva Cabida, Martin Hunt, Eleanor Teare, Goli Saidazand, Norma Barlow, Ssali Kisumba and Reverend Jennifer Smith.

We pay a special tribute here to Mrs Maria Saro-Wiwa, a close friend of Christine's for over thirty years, who sadly passed away exactly one week before she did on Sunday 16 January 2022. Despite the unspeakable tragedies that she herself endured, in her friendship with our mother Mrs Saro-Wiwa remained steadfast, and we draw comfort from the knowledge that they are together in Paradise.

Those of us who had the gift and privilege of being loved by Christine have been bequeathed an extraordinary legacy to uphold, and we carry with us still the treasure of her quiet, deep and gentle affection. She brought smiles to the faces and joy to the lives of all whom she met, however briefly. Christine’s was also a life of unstinting generosity—a life premised on the absolute necessity and virtue of being of service to others. She held to this principle not merely in her work, but in every aspect of her life, and the outpourings of grief and remorse that have accompanied her parting are testament to that fact.

If we have each struggled with its terrible slow theft of her life these last several years, her illness nevertheless afforded us an opportunity to gather around Christine, and to gather with one another. In the terms of her lifelong faith, it has allowed us “to fellowship”. So you see: even in the manner of her death, she somehow contrived to continue to give of herself.

We will tell stories of the manner in which she lived for generations to come, and celebrate our great good fortune at sharing in the gift of her life.

Emma & Stanley Wolukau-Wanambwa

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

[* This section was last updated on 14 February 2022.]

1. Owing to ongoing Covid-19 related restrictions, Christine's family opted to hold a small funeral service at Wesley's Chapel & Leysian Mission in London on 8 February 2022, followed immediately by cremation. A recording of the service, which was conducted by the Reverend Canon Dr Jennifer H Smith, can be viewed at https://youtu.be/dIg5iGmJnlo.

Christine's ashes will be interred with the body of her late husband Pete in the village of Nalondo Butta, Manafwa District, Uganda with full ceremony, as soon thereafter as is practicable.

2. On the same day, at St Paul's Cathedral in Kampala, Uganda, her family organised a memorial service that was conducted by the Right Reverend Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, Bishop of Namirembe.

Photographs of the service can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RSnwm7D3jVeDqRPSp6kbbT2BiR0ibLV1?usp=sharing.

A video recording of the service can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/16qPUwTEQNL6mGlFGB3uPqaZPx6GM5oqr/view?usp=sharing

Anyone still wishing to contribute Mabugo should contact Mr Fred Ssaka of Pandental Surgery. Tel. +256 752 645 457 / fred@pandentalsurgery.com.

3. Christine's family will also be organising a service in celebration of her life at Acton Hill Church in London, where she worshipped for nearly 40 years, later in the year. Details of this service are to follow. Check this page regularly for updates.