By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
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Tooro mourns the untimely passing of Irine Kamakune, an Accounts Assistant at Kabarole Research Centre (KRC), who tragically lost her life on February 4th, 2025, while giving birth at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Buhinga. Kamakune, who was only in her early-30s, leaves behind a 15 year old daughter, in S4, and a promising legacy as a young professional.
Irine’s story is one of resilience and opportunity. A school dropout in Senior Two, her life took a positive turn when Hon. Alex Ruhunda Akiiki, the area MP and Founder of KRC, took her under his wing. Recognizing her potential, he supported her return to school, financing her education up to university. This opportunity paved the way for her employment at KRC in 2021, where she served diligently as an Accounts Assistant till her tragic death.
Her death is attributed to complications related to stillbirth and excessive bleeding. Irine was reportedly looking forward to formalizing her relationship with her fiancé, Brian Ngabirano, who works in Kampala and had visited her family last year with plans for an introduction ceremony after the delivery this year.
Irine’s burial is already happening now as we write this at her ancestral home in Bukwali, where family, friends, and colleagues are gathered to celebrate her life and mourn her passing. Among the key mourners is area MP Alex Ruhunda himself, the entire KRC Staff led by their Executive Director Sharif Mohammad and deputy Executive Director Patrick Muzinduki.
Her story highlights both the transformative power of education and mentorship by the right people like Ruhunda, and the critical challenges of maternal health in Uganda and Africa at large. Where’s MPs in Uganda’s parliament are mainly interested in increasing their salaries, real issues of health funding are at the peripheral of their budgets. This is just one of the millions of women dying while giving birth.
Her memory will live on, not only in the hearts of those who loved her but also in the inspiration her journey provides to many. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
