Felix Basiime
17 November 2008
Kampala — WINNIE Byanyima has described her mother as an achiever.
Gertrude Byanyima, the wife of the former national chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) Boniface Byanyima, passed away at Mulago Hospital last Thursday after suffering a stroke.
Winnie said her late mother was one of the first Africans to open a shop in Mbarara at the time businesses were dominated by Asians in the 1970s.
She said Gertrude ran many women clubs in Mbarara and passed on literacy and income-generating skills to them.
"She was a teacher, politician, businesswoman, a mother and home-maker, independent, hard worker, an achiever, community organiser and grassroots women rights activist.
"It is through her work that I picked the passion for women rights," Winnie said.
"Many women in politics today in Uganda were mentored by my mother," she added.
Gertrude and her husband celebrated their golden jubilee wedding anniversary in January.
Gertrude is survived by six children; Edith, Winnie, Anthony, Martha, Abraham and Olivia.
There will be a requiem mass at Nyamitanga Catholic Cathedral on November 19 before the body is laid to rest at the family home in Ruti, Mbarara municipality.
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