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In Mayombe Village, Dabani Sub-County, Busia District, hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to the late Jaaja Nafula Jesca, aged 92, the beloved grandmother of Hon. Ambassador Barbra Nekesa.
The chief mourner, Hon. Rose Namayanja, who represented the NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family and Hon. Nekesa for the loss of their cherished matriarch and mentor.
Born in March 1933 and baptized in 1962, Jaaja Nafula Jesca was married in 1948 to Mr. Makoha Yitiko. together, they had five children—two boys and three girls. at the time of her passing, she was survived by two children: Mr. Wejuli Yitiko and Ms. Hadudu Mary. Her legacy is vast, with 42 grandchildren, 155 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren—totalling 223 descendants.
Jaaja Nafula Jesca passed away on April 23, 2025, at Rubaga Hospital and was laid to rest at her home in Mayombe Village Dabani sub county Busia district..
Hon. Namayanja thanked God for allowing a peaceful and unrestricted sendoff, unlike the COVID-19 pandemic era that limited gatherings.
She commended Hon. Amb. Barbra Nekesa for her unwavering care and devotion to Jaaja Jesca during her final days. “It is not easy to care for someone until their last breath,” she noted.
Hon. Namayanja also praised the preacher for delivering a powerful and touching message and emphasized that prayers for the dead should be replaced by living a righteous life while still on earth.
“During funerals, we gather to comfort the family—not to pray for the deceased. Prayers are for the living to perform while they still have time,” she added.
Representing the NRM Secretariat, Hon. Namayanja announced a contribution of UGX 10 million towards the burial expenses.
Among the dignitaries present was Hon. Mafabi Asha Nabulo, who prayed to Allah to grant Jaaja Jesca paradise and forgiveness for any wrongs.
Mr. Abdallah Difee, incoming NRM Chairperson for Sironko Town Council and businessman in Sironko and Mbale, also joined mourners, urging the family to remain strong: “Death is a law—it comes whether we want it or not.”May jaaja’s soul rest in eternal peace.
Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, Chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, Presidential Advisor, National Planning Authority member, and Mbale City NRM Woman Flagbearer, paid her respects in person.
She praised Jaaja Jesca for nurturing great leaders like Hon. Barbra Nekesa and Hon. John Mulimba.
“As Senga wa baana, I came with a big delegation from Sironko to mourn together the life of our jaaja Nafula, since Hon. Amb. Barbra Nekesa is married to my elder brother, Hajji Suleiman Mafabi Lumolo,” Hon. Wanyoto stated.
“We ask the Almighty to welcome Jaaja Jesca with a kind heart, because she was a remarkable woman.”
In her emotional tribute, Hon. Amb. Barbra Nekesa thanked all mourners, family members, and her husband, Hajji Suleiman Mafabi Lumolo, for their unwavering support during Jaaja’s illness.
She acknowledged the NRM Secretariat for its financial support and revealed that Jaaja Jesca had battled a stroke since 2022.
“We tried everything possible—every hospital, every means—but God decided to take her back. As a family, we shall dearly miss her,” she said.
May the soul of Jaaja Nafula Jesca rest in eternal peace.
