GETRUDE FREDA WANDA KEENE April 18, 2022

DATE OF BIRTH: 7th May, 1925

PARENTS: Prince Zadoch Igumba and Mrs. Margaret Namukasa Igumba of Bugono parish, Kigulu county, Iganga district.

DATE OF DEATH: 5th April, 2022

EDUCATION BACKGROUND
Gertrude attended Buckley High School and after finishing primary six, she joined Nsuube vocational school and studied home management including sewing, tailoring, handcraft and bakery.

CAREER BACKGROUND
In 1939, she got married to Mr. Moses Waiswa Keene and together they raised 14 children.
While her husband was a Provincial Judge, Gertrude was a house wife raising her children while her husband worked. As a couple, they hosted local and international dignitaries, including Sir Andrew Cohen who was the British Governor of Uganda from in 1952 – 1957. The Chinaware used for this special occasion still exists as vintage in Gertrude’s home.

Gertrude’s spouse worked in several areas around Busoga, and wherever the husband was transferred, Gertrude was by his side. When he retired, they settled in Muira village, Nambale sub-county, Iganga District where they started Keene’s farm and practiced animal husbandry on a large scale. They supplied milk, matooke, and sweet potatoes to Buckley High School, Mwiri Primary School and Busoga College Mwiri where they derived resources to educate their children and dependents. They planted coffee, cotton, and some cocoa. Later they supplied maize and firewood to the above schools.

Following the death of her husband on 12th June, 1986, Gertrude continued with managing the farm.
She reached out to her family and traveled to the UK in the early 1990s and the US in the early 2000s as part of her exposure visits.

Unfortunately, in the course of her duties, she was gored by her own bull in 1994 and this affected her work and health.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DECEASED
Gertrude is a descendant of Nyamutukura, a royal from Bunyoro and the eldest child in the lineage of the Baise Ngobi of Bugono, Kigulu.
She was a staunch Christian, a value that she instilled in her children, grandchildren and all those around her community.
Together with her husband, they donated a 2-hectare piece of land to the Muira community on which All Saints Church Muira was built.

Furthermore, together with Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze (RIP), She and her late husband were actively involved in the construction and finishing of the Bugembe Cathedral that is the Center of Busoga Diocese.

Before her husband passed on, he compelled her to ensure that their children take on the responsibility of completing the church. Gertrude fulfilled this challenge and the church was officially commissioned by Rt. Rev. Bishop Patrick Wakula on 29th December, 2019. A dream had been achieved after over 40 years.
As a trustee of the Keene estate, Gertrude allowed the family to donate some land on which Muira village health center was constructed.

Gertrude was calm, cautious, generous, honest, modest, and patient. A friend and adviser, confidant to many, role model and an inspirational mother to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all those that had a chance to interact with her. She loved her neighbors regardless of their social status and welcomed many of their children and supported them to access education through payment of tuition up to the time she passed on. Those who studied became successful and those who failed were suppressed by the economy. Her home was a place of inspiration to the young men and women who tried to have education at the time.

Gertrude was a true definition of the Proverbs 31(she pursued the wisdom of God, she focused on God’s truth and her biggest desire was to honor God). She never ate chicken but could cook it deliciously and serve it, never drunk alcohol but could serve it to the visitors at their home. She was a devoted wife and observed all the ten commandments and a staunch follower in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

SPOUSE: Moses Waiswa Keene (RIP).
SIBLINGS: She was a young sister to Florence Womanye (RIP) and many brothers and sisters.

CHILDREN
Gertrude had 14 children

• Matilda Vanice Gantabye
• Mildred Rhona Yotaliwa Keene (RIP)
• Alexandra Rose Ekikyo (RIP)
• Steven Mugabi
• Damali Juliet Kwagala
• Milton Emmanuel Keene
• Margaret Marione Keene Khan
• Lilian Keene Mugerwa Tamale
• Delilah Ntamba
• Derick Horace Igumba
• Gertrude Opio (RIP)
• Keene Grace Tagaba
• John Batuka
• Nelson Yajja

SON’S IN-LAW

• Aslam Khan
• Dr. Ismail Tamale Mugerwa

DAUGHTER’S IN LAW

• Mrs. Ruth Gubamwoyo Mugabi
• Mrs. Christine Najjuma Keene

GRANDCHILDREN
Gertrude left 41 grand children

• Percy Bagaga Emmanuel Habumugisha
• Paul Ngobi Keene
• Mugabi Harriet
• Moses Balikudembe Keene
• Florence Labue
• Ivan Sendijja
• Fiona Esther Wagbatsoma
• Christine Tezikya Lukwago
• Hasina Khan Cooley
• Venerander Balikagira
• Shamillah Bankiya Musazi Sengendo
• Moses Keene Joel
• Elizabeth Kyakuwaire
• Hilda Wandawa
• Judith Womanyi
• Daniel Keene Igumba
• Angel Laura Keene
• Andrew Keene
• Lazarus Arthur Waiswa Keene
• Ibrahim Tamale
• Emmanuel Keene
• Gertrude Ekikyo
• Andrew Yayiro
• Lazarous Musasizi
• Edrine Akali
• Olivia Birungi
• Haruna Ssentongo
• Sophie Nakabugo
• Joas Muguwa
• Tenywa
• Waiswa
• Deborah Mirembe
• Jane Kisakye
• Dorothy Rose Kwogeza
• Denis Tumwebaze
• Moses Keene
• Frida Birungi
• Eseza Gantabye
• Margret Kirabo
• Nelson Yagya
• Delilah Kubonaku

GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

Gertrude has left 23 great grandchildren.

• Mitchel Mildred Mugisha
• Tracy Ritah Mugisha
• Reese Rhona Mugisha
• Zoe Abigail Mugisha
• Percy Callistus Habumugisha
• Samantha Freda Mugisha
• Ivan Keene
• Elizabeth Keene
• Ethan Akampa
• Blessing Nyangoma
• Elijah Kato
• Kenneth Zachary
• Martha Nalukwago
• Jeremiah Lukwago
• Arya Labue
• Evelyn Labue
• Emil Muna Cooley
• Morena Gantabye
• Moses Yayiro
• Jeremiah Wagbatsoma
• Elizabeth Shola
• Gift Musasizi
• Matilda Musasizi

There will be a funeral service at St. Luke COU Ntinda on Thursday, 14^th April 2022 starting at 11:00am, there will be another funeral service at All Saints Church Muira Iganga on Saturday, 16^th April 2022 starting at 11:00am. Vigil will be held at their home in Muira- Nambale Sub-county, Iganga District.

Burial will take place at their ancestral home in Muira- Nambale Sub-county, Iganga District on Monday, 18^th April 2022 starting with a service at 12:00pm.

Informed are:

Relatives, Friends and In-laws.

MAY HER SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE