By Maurice Peter Matovu
As the world was celebrating Eid Mubarak on Sunday March 30th, 2025, the Uganda-Algeria Consulate and Kampala Archdiocese were hosting a dignified ceremony at the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix- Ggogonya- Kisubi Motherhouse to bid farewell to the Late Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula, in recognition of her remarkable service and dedication at the foreign mission and during her lifetime.
Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula passed away on Thursday 20th March 2025 in Algeria at the Vatican Embassy where she was deployed on foreign mission in the office of the Nuncio.
With gratitude and affection, the Uganda- Algeria Consulate and Kampala Archdiocese honored the remarkable legacy of the Rev.Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula, a shinning example of kindness, generosity and faith in action
While Celebrating the Requiem Mass, the Emeritus Papal Nuncio to Uganda H.E Archbishop Augustine Kasujja conveyed his message to the Mother General of Ggogonya- Motherhouse Rev. Sr. Maria Speranza Namusisi, the friends and family for loosing a committed servant of God at an early age of 51 years.
He also commended the Ambassador of Uganda to Algeria H.E John Alintuma Nsambu for representing the Uganda in a community where Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix- Ggogonya have served for the last 27 years.
“As I was deployed in Algeria on the religious mission, we started with two Sisters from the congregation of Ggogonya Motherhouse. They have served deligently and the deceased has been part of the team. She has been a gift to the church.”
On behalf of Mr. Mukiibi Joseph Family (the father) the former Buganda Kingdom Minister Owek. Sylivia Mazzi praised the Catholic church for supporting Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula during her lifetime who also supported a number of orphans and unprevilledged children.
The family also praised the Uganda’s consulate to Algeria H.E Ambassador John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu for working hard to repatriate the body of the deceased Sister in a shortest time possible.
The Nunciature of Algeria represented by Rev. Fr. Peter Cleve and the Holy Sea in Vatican mourned the life of Sister Gertrude with a message that touched thousands of mourners at Ggogonya.
“Words are inadequate to express the rate of pain to this young death. The Nunciature family had gathered in the chapel for prayers where the late sister was playing a drum, read the sermons and praised her Lord. In just less than an hour, she called us and told us that she was feeling some pain. Quietly, she slipped down and passed away. We are going to miss her beautiful singing and we are sure that the good Lord also liked her to take care of the beautiful flowers in heaven like she used to do in the compound of the Nunciature in Algers and the Basilica……” Fr. Peter read the message.
The Uganda’s Ambassador to Algeria and the Maghreb region H.E. Amb John Chrysostom Alintuma Nsambu said they were equally shocked for abrupt demise of Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude.
“As the Consulate, we last engaged the deceased when the Bishop Masaka Rt. Rev Severus Jjumba visited Algeria. She raised her beautiful voice while singing for the Lord. Her death teaches us on how we must behave before people in communities. Her behavior and the Nunciature plus the Consulate enabled us to easily repatriate her body back home.” Ambassador Nsambu said.
The Mother General of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Reparatrix- Ggogonya Rev. Sr. Maria Speranza Namusisi said the unexpected passing away of their member will stay on their hearts.
“As Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula begins a new chapter, we express our deepest appreciation to the Nunciature in Algers for all the support rendered to the deceased and during her lifetime. We mourn with the Archbishop of Kampala, Rt. Rev. Paul Ssemogerere the Bishop of Kiyinda- Mityana Diocese, and the Motherhouse for loosing a humble servant of God. We thank the Nunciature for all the support as the deceased’s body was repatriated.” The Mother General said.
The send off was also honored by the presence of Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese, Buganda Kingdom Ministers, hundred of Priests and the religious, friends, believers and the family.
*The Life of Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula*
Rev. Sr. Maria Gertrude Namakula was born in 1974 at Naluggi Parish Mityana, she is a daughter to Mr. Joseph Mukiibi and the Late Josephine Nanyonjo.
She went to a number of schools where she attained skills in secretarial studies, Computer and information technology in Uganda and Kenya.
She was deployed on a number of local missions in various Dioceses not until she was deployed to Algeria on Foreign missions in 2021. She served for 23 years as a Nun.
