Ugandans in the UK turned up to celebrate the life of Mercy Mudondo, the boisterous Ugandan that died abruptly, on February 24th 2017.
Fondly remembered for her free spiritedness, sense of humour and indomitable character, Mercy Mudondo's memorial was characterised by celebration, as part of reflecting of who she was.
She died at Fazakerly Hospital in Liverpool two days after suffering a brain haemorrhage, first offset by a severe headache that led to her sudden collapse at home on February 22nd 2017. She was later to be airlifted to Fazakerly hospital and put on life support, but never recovered from the critical state.
In a show of solidarity, Ugandans in the UK and comprising her family members, former students of Namasagali College in the eastern part of Uganda, turned up at the memorial in celebration of Mercy Mudondo, renown for her free spirited nature.
Mercy was a former student of Namasagali College in the late 80's-to the 90's and then at its peak time of fame in Uganda and mostly renown for being the first private school in Uganda and which run a wholesome education that was not wholly Ugandan-exam orientated as was the case with public schools in Uganda, but gave as much emphasis to extra-curricular activities.
Mercy aka Mercy Mutono Gilbertson was popular for running a popular Namasagali Old Students Facebook group-Namasagali Fun and ReUnion-where she shared unforgettable memories from the school with former students in Uganda and abroad, and also arranged reunions at her business premises in Uganda.
In Uganda, Mercy was renown for being the owner and Manager of Entebbe Safari Bar and Restaurant which is very close to Uganda's only Airport-Entebbe International Airport and where she arranged reunions with former students or had them dine there.
Ugandans in the diaspora and those back home used to reading Mercy's witty Facebook statuses, were shocked at her sudden critical condition from collapsing suddenly at home on February 22nd.
Mercy had last posted her usual witty statuses on February 19th, before her friends learnt of her sudden critical state, three days after. There was emotional outpour on Facebook, with her family and friends expressing sympathies and prayers on her Facebook wall and in the group she runs.
There was hope she would pull through and this being reflected in the messages of hope, prayers that carried on being relayed on social media.
Winnie Nantege, a former student who managed to visit her at Fazakerly Hospital and gave updates to her friends, restored hope that Mercy would recover but she unfortunately passed away on February 24th 2017.
Mercy Mutono Celebrated by Her Family and Friends.
The Rev Nathan Ntege led family and friends in celebrating Mercy's life, referring to her as a renown Ugandan woman with a positivity that allured many Ugandans to her.
The Kabaka's Representative to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Ronald Lutaaya was the key dignitary at the service and later at the reception friends and family organised at the church hall, at the same venue.
The Chairperson of Iteso Welfare Association Martin Osengor was present and the association informing Ugandans in the UK, of the bereavement support they offer all Ugandans in the UK.
Present too were Mercy's family members including Tabitha Rendall her cousin and who was her maid of honour 15 years ago. Mercy's two aunties who partly raised her in childhood, were present too and made touching tributes.
Her friends mostly comprised former students of Namasagali Old Students in the United Kingdom, some from Matale Boarding Primary School and joined with her other Ugandans friends.
In tributes, Mercy was remembered as a free-spirit, vibrant soul, one with a huge personality, a young lady with a big heart, a great mother to four children and loving wife. She was summed up as a young Ugandan that had lived her life to its fullest.
In the true entertainment style that Namasagali College was renown for, Ann Namiiro a former student led in the day's entertainment, dancing a duet with her young daughter, to Luciana Pavarotti's song.
