Dr. Muganga Mourns Mother Kayonga, Credits Her Faith, Sacrifice For Shaping His Life

Victoria University vice chancellor Lawrence Muganga has offered a deeply personal reflection on loss and faith following the death of his mother, Immaculate Kayonga, choosing to frame his grief not only as a son in mourning but as a man shaped by a lifetime of quiet sacrifice, prayer and resilience.

Kayonga died on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the age of 86, a day Muganga described as the most painful of his life.

In a message shared with friends, colleagues and the wider public, he spoke of a woman whose influence extended far beyond the private space of family, anchoring his values and sense of purpose long before he rose to national prominence in academia.

“My heart is heavy, and my soul trembles at the thought of never hearing your voice again,” Muganga wrote, capturing a grief that felt immediate and unfiltered. Yet even as he mourned, his words leaned toward gratitude and faith, drawing comfort from the belief that his mother had returned to the God she served devotedly throughout her life.

Those close to the family say Kayonga lived quietly but deliberately, defined by generosity and an instinctive concern for others. Muganga recalled a mother who gave freely, even when it came at personal cost, and who found fulfilment in easing the burdens of those around her.

In his tribute, he described her as his hero and greatest source of inspiration, noting that every milestone he has achieved bears the imprint of her prayers and sacrifice.

He also reflected on what he believes is her reunion in heaven with family members who passed on earlier, including her husband and children, an image that, in his words, brought peace amid sorrow. “I can almost picture the reunion,” he wrote, suggesting that faith has offered the family a framework for understanding loss without surrendering to despair.

Earlier in the day, Muganga had announced his mother’s death in a brief statement, thanking God for her life and the legacy she leaves behind.

He said the family remained united and resolved to honour her memory by living out the values she embodied, among them forgiveness, compassion and service to others.

Victoria University joined in mourning, issuing an official condolence message that described Kayonga as a woman of grace, faith and devotion to family. The institution said her values had indirectly shaped the leadership of the university through her son, and assured Muganga of its solidarity during what it termed a moment of profound loss. Quoting Philippians 4:7, the university prayed for peace and strength for the family.

As preparations for her burial continue, the family has announced that a vigil and prayers will be held on Monday evening at Gwafu in Seeta, Mukono District. A requiem service is scheduled for Tuesday morning at St James Church of Uganda in Gwafu, followed by burial later that afternoon at the family home.

For Muganga, the days ahead are marked by both mourning and resolve. In his tribute, he pledged that the family would carry forward Kayonga’s legacy through lives rooted in faith and selflessness, suggesting that while her death has left an undeniable void, her influence remains present in the values she passed on.

In a country where public figures are often known for titles and achievements, Muganga’s reflection offered a rare glimpse into the private foundations of leadership, reminding readers that behind institutional authority often stands a lifetime of unseen guidance, sacrifice and love.