‎The family of the late Noureen Nalwanga, a mother of four who died during the violence witnessed in Homa Bay on August 16, is living through a painful struggle as they seek justice and support following her death.
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‎Nalwanga, popularly known as “Nya Uganda,” was a widow and businesswoman who lived in Shauri Yako Estate in Homa Bay Town. She had been raising her four children alone since the death of her husband in 2020.
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‎Her First-born son, Sly Steward, a second-year student at Kenyatta University, recalled the devastating events of that day.
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‎Steward said the family had been watching the Linda Mwananchi rally from their home when his mother received a phone call informing her that her business premises were at risk of being looted.
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‎She hurried out to check on her business, but tragedy struck.
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‎According to Steward, his mother was hit by a speeding vehicle while attempting to cross the road to reach the market. She was rushed to Homa Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
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‎The death has left the family facing an uncertain future.
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‎Steward says his mother was the sole breadwinner and catered for virtually everything the children needed, including school fees, clothing and other basic necessities.
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‎With her sudden death, the four siblings are now struggling to figure out how they will continue with their education and meet their daily needs.
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‎ “We don’t even know how we will go back to school because our mother was doing everything for us,” Steward said, as he appealed for well-wishers and leaders to come to the family’s aid.
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‎The pain has also been felt by relatives in Uganda, where Nalwanga was born.
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‎Her uncle, Kigwana Nicholus, said the family received the heartbreaking news with disbelief and immediately travelled to Homa Bay to establish what had happened.
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‎But upon arriving, they were confronted with another painful reality.
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‎Kigwana said the family was informed that the relatives in Vihiga, Western Kenya, where Nalwanga had been married, were not ready to take her body, leaving them to begin making arrangements to transport her remains to Uganda for burial.
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‎For her fellow businesspeople, the loss is that of a woman remembered for her warmth, happiness and generosity.
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‎Jackline Adhiambo, who knew Nalwanga as a business colleague, described “Nya Uganda” as a jovial and hospitable woman who was loved by those around her.
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‎She has appealed to political leaders and other well-wishers to intervene and support the four children, who she says have been left without a clear source of livelihood.
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‎As the family mourns, they are not only seeking help to lay Nalwanga to rest but are also demanding justice over the circumstances surrounding her death.
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‎For her children, however, the pain goes beyond losing a mother. They have lost the woman who was their provider, protector and hope for a better future.