“If you do not know where you came from, you’ll never know where you are.” In this episode of Footprints, we bring you a ninety-five-year worth of experience and wisdom from Mrs. Rhoda Kalema as she shares her leadership journey. Mrs. Rhoda Kalema, known as Jjajja Rhoda, talks about her early life, her leadership as a politician and civil activist for women, as well as her ceaseless faith that carried her through her life’s transitions.
Born in Mengo Hospital to her father; Martin Luther Nsibirwa, the Katikiro of Buganda Kingdom at the time, and her mother, Veronica Namuddu; she fondly remembers the values they inculcated into her as a child. The value of respectfulness and honesty, from her father to the essence of being practical in decision-making, and the significance of formal education from her mother. Jjajja Rhoda attended Gayaza High School for a year, before transferring to present-day, Kings College Buddo, where she completed her high school. She was among the first twelve girls to attend the first co-educational school in Uganda. Jjajja Rhoda was the first girl to do a commercial course in Uganda. She studied at Makerere College (present-day Makerere University) and went on to pass the London Chamber of Commerce in London along with 3 other boys.
On her return, she worked at Gayaza High School as a secretary where she learned and practiced filing and bookkeeping. Marrying William Kalema, she went to London alongside him and pursued a certificate course in Social Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Jjajja Rhoda states that she found the course applicable to understanding the roots of poverty and violence in Uganda as she also studied political economy, economic history, as well as psychology. She later served as a probation officer in Kampala at the Social and Community Development Ministry where she worked with non-governmental organizations to support orphaned and abandoned children.
Jjajja Rhoda worked at the Uganda Council of Women (UWC), a foundational organization for the women’s movement, and contributed to the appointment of women to the Legislative Council in 1956. Her team also facilitated the appointment of the Commission on Marriage, Divorce, and the Status of Women.
Unfortunately, her husband, who had been a minister of state was murdered as Idi Amin took over governance and killed whoever he deemed a threat. By the time H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni came into power, she had resolved to make a difference by “promoting peace and sane governance.” She was appointed a deputy minister of the National Resistance Council where she represented the people and contributed to the re-establishment of democracy in the country as they created the new constitution of 1996. She also revived community clubs and facilitated adult education programs.
Jjajja Rhoda later resigned to dedicate her time to taking care of her family and the people in her home area, Kiboga. “I have a big family,” she says, for which she is ever grateful as they are her greatest support system. She advocated for better education and health services in Kiboga, working with several organizations to provide relief to women and children who were victims of the 1980 civil war and the AIDS epidemic. She also established a syllabus focused on vocational skills training to equip those who were unable to attend primary school with practical means of earning income.
Jjajja Rhoda’s journey emphasizes that a leader must be intentional in their transitions, and well-prepared, knowing what they are to do, going forward. It also highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with people who love and support you like family who always have your back. She portrays the need for mental strength as leaders due to the variable changes and tragedies that may be encountered on the way. However, leaders must never forget where they came from, the people who walked with them, and guided them along the path. Jjajja Rhoda inspires each of us to be humble leaders; with altruism and hearts of gratitude despite life’s harsh changes.
©Blurb written by Divine Karungi