Precis
On the 18th of September 2024 at 9:34 pm and at the age of 76 we lost our Joy.
To reduce into words the life of Joy Judith Mawalo is akin to caging a fire or capturing the stars. The remarkable Joy Judith Mawalo was a woman whose very name embodied the essence of happiness and grace. She was more than a daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, and pastor; to those who gather in her honour she was a beacon of elegance, a pillar of strength, and a fountain of love, whose presence brought light and warmth to all who were fortunate to have met her Joy exuded undeniable class and sophistication and was a lover of all things beautiful, her impeccable taste was evident in her every step, and she carried herself with the poise of royalty, yet her heart was as open and welcoming as the door to her home—a home that became a sanctuary for many, both family and friends alike. Her generosity knew no bounds, and she offered solace to the needy, warmth to the lost, and unwavering faith to all.
**The Lioness of Namungalwe**
Born in Namungalwe on **November 6, 1947, Joy lived up to her name in every sense. From a young age, she embraced life with an energy and enthusiasm that was as boundless as her spirit. A natural leader, Joy excelled in everything she touched, from winning races as a sprinter to captivating audiences with her talent for singing and dancing during her school days. She was known far and wide as the “Lioness of Namungalwe,” a fitting moniker for a woman who roared through life with deftly balancing grace and power.
Her educational journey took her from Kawete Primary School to Jinja Senior Secondary School and eventually to pursue a career in advanced secretarial studies. It was during this period of her life that she met and married the love of her life Winston Mulumba Mawalo on the eighth of June 1968. This union fast became a foundation of love and partnership that would endure for decades and give birth to her children that now gather around her final resting place. Together with Winston, Joy built a family, a legacy, and a life filled with love, laughter, and faith.
Dedication to her craft and duty
Joy’s professional life was a testament to her intelligence and unrelenting determination. Her career saw her rise through the ranks of government, where she served with distinction in the President’s Office during a tumultuous era in Ugandan geo-political history. Her ability to navigate the complexities of public service, covering the various administrations of Dr. Milton Obote and later Idi Amin, showcased her adaptability strength of character and dedication to her craft regardless of the political uncertainties of the period. While others ran she stayed in service and loyal to her country Uganda.
The afore-cited dedication actuates from the fact that she was a woman ahead of her time, she took time to master her craft with such excellence that she soon earned scholarships and opportunities abroad. In both England and France, she continued to shine and learn and grow. Despite the temptations of a flourishing career overseas, she chose to return home to care for her children, demonstrating once again her unwavering commitment to those she loved.
The Heart of a Servant, the Spirit of a Warrior
When circumstances led her away from public service, Joy embraced a new calling Entrepreneurship and Ministry. Through her ventures in fashion with Afro Fancy Wear and Afro Disco, she proved her business acumen and creativity. But it was her calling to serve God that became her life’s true purpose. A devoted intercessor and administrator at Rubaga Miracle Centre Church, she poured her heart into ministry, guiding and nurturing all who crossed her path.
Even as the years passed, Joy’s thirst for knowledge never waned. At the age of **69**, she pursued a master’s degree in theology, a reflection of her belief that learning and growing were lifelong endeavours. Her faith was unshakable, and her service to the church and her community was an embodiment of her devotion to God.
A Legacy of Love and Faith
Joy’s greatest pride and joy, however, was her family. Alongside Winston, she raised seven beautiful children Brenda, Maureen, Walter, Kenneth, Susan, Arnold, and Connie instilling in them the values of faith, love, and compassion. Her home was filled with laughter, her table always open to guests, and her heart brimming with kindness. She took great joy in watching her family grow, never missing an opportunity to celebrate life’s milestones, whether they were birthdays or family gatherings or the various achievements that her children accrued over the years.
Her love extended beyond her children to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the apples of her eye. Each of them carries a piece of her spirit, a reflection of the immense love she poured into their lives. Her legacy is woven into the fabric of her family a legacy of generosity, kindness, faith, and unconditional love.
Farewell to a Matriarch, and a Servant of God.
As we gather to bid farewell to Joy, we know that her spirit lives on, not just in the hearts of those who loved her, but in every life, she touched with her kindness and wisdom. She leaves behind a powerful legacy, a legacy not defined by the accolades she earned or the positions she held, but by the lives she transformed through her unwavering devotion to God and her family.
Joy’s life was a masterpiece, painted with the colours of love, faith, resilience, and grace. Though she has departed from this world, her light will never dim. Her spirit, like the vibrant red of her lipstick, will remain forever bold and bright, a symbol of the love and beauty she shared with all who knew her.
Joy Judith Mawalo shall be missed BUT she will not fade away. Her legacy is eternal, and her memory will forever be cherished in our hearts.
Joy was survived by her children Brenda, Maureen, Walter, Kenneth, Susan, Arnold and Connie; her grandchildren, Angelina, Arnest, Lawson, Godwin, Alana, Aeirah, Anaya, Ayinza, Darrel, Solange, Jadyen, Mercy, Brandon, Candy, Chiedza, Shamiso and Tawanda Junior. She also survived by her two great grandchildren Andrea and Jeremiah. She leaves behind her siblings, Her sisters Ida, Stella, Catherine, and Rose.
There will be a Funeral Service at Rubaga Miracle Center Cathedral on Thursday, 26th September 2024 starting at 10:00am, followed by vigil at their family residence in Naalya.
Burial will take place at Jinja-Bugembe on Friday, 27th September 2024 starting with a Funeral Service at 01:00pm.
Informed are; Relatives, Friends and In-laws.
MAY HER SOUL REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.
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