A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE VERINAH RUJOKI By Elly Karuhanga An Extraordinary Woman of Faith, Courage, Enterprise, and Devotion to Family and Country Dear bereaved family, Bishop Alfred Muhoozi, distinguished religious and political leaders, relatives, friends, and the entire Rushere community, We gather today with both sorrow and gratitude to remember the remarkable life of Omukuru Verinah Rujoki. We mourn her because we loved her. But we also thank God for the gift of her life, for the family she raised, the people she encouraged, and the example she leaves behind. Born around 1940 into the family of the distinguished, friendly, yet no-nonsense Murokore, Oweishemwe Kafuniza, Verinah belonged to a generation of Ugandan women who lived through great changes in our country. Yet she was never merely a witness to history. Through her courage, faith, and determination, she helped shape the lives around her. Verinah came from the distinguished Bene Rukaari clan of Ankole, known, among other things, for producing exceptionally beautiful women. I can testify to that personally because my own wife, Stella, comes from the same clan. So I am not speaking from hearsay! And Verinah had something particularly special about her beauty: an irresistible smile, made even more charming by her beautiful diastema (eshanyanya), the distinctive gap between her front teeth. It gave her smile a unique charm and character. Her smile was worth a million dollars! It could light up a room, melt away tension, and make even a stranger feel instantly welcome. It was not merely a beautiful smile; it was an expression of the warmth, kindness, and generosity of spirit that made Verinah so dearly loved. Verinah was beautiful, educated, and highly regarded. She was truly an icon. She trained as a teacher at a time when teaching was one of the most respected professions in society. With all her qualities, she could have chosen from many eligible young men. But she wanted something more important than wealth or status. She wanted to marry a born-again Christian. I am told that, through the late Bishop Ruhindi, she met a young Church worker named John Rujoki. In those days, working for the Church was not the quickest path to wealth. The rewards were more likely to be found in heaven than in the bank! Yet Verinah chose John. She chose faith over fortune, character over comfort, and calling over convenience. That choice became a beautiful marriage and a lifelong partnership. Together, Verinah and Reverend Rujoki built a home founded on faith, service, and responsibility. The values that shaped their marriage would later guide the family, community, and Church they served. Reverend Rujoki became my dear friend and colleague as we worked for the development of Nyabushozi, Kazo, and the wider region. We worked for better schools, stronger churches, girls’ education, peace, and development. Through all those years, Verinah stood beside him. She was not simply the wife of a Church leader. She was his companion, counsellor, supporter, and partner. While Reverend Rujoki served publicly through the Church, Verinah strengthened the work from within the family and community, offering encouragement, wisdom, and practical support. Her own service was therefore inseparable from the life she and Reverend Rujoki built together. When Reverend Rujoki passed away, I was honoured to be the last speaker at his funeral. Since then, I have remained close to the Rujoki family. The children have shown me great affection, and I have been honoured to be regarded as one of their favourite family friends. Their friendship has extended to my own children. Through her daughter, Engineer Sheba’s marriage to Enock Kusasira, whom I call my son, our families became even more closely united. I do not speak as a distant observer. I speak as a friend of their father, a friend of their mother, and a member of the wider family.