A visit to Kabale, Kigezi is never complete without an hour or two spent at his home, learning from him, milking his inexhaustible database of the language, history, customs and traditions of Abakiga, and partaking of his wit and humour.
Occasionally his conversations with people are always punctuated with corrections of their misuse of a word here, a mispronunciation there and a test of their knowledge of the clans and totems of Abakiga. Once in a while, he will ask for the origin or meaning of a word. With a smile and twinkle, he awaits a response that is likely to be incorrect. Occasionally, people get it wrong, and his duty is to correct them.
Among his significant contributions is his support in translating the Bible from English to Runyankole-Rukiga, and authoring the Runyankore-Rukiga dictionary called “Katondozi” that he co-authored with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The old man owned the only Bakiga Museum in Kabale at his home in Kibikura, lower Bugongi where tourists occasionally come in to check out the things that were used by the old Bakiga.
Festo Kagwemera has been writing even at an old age and he regularly exercised, which of course made him flexible at an old age. Every morning at 6am he would jog from his home in Kibukura going up Rugarama hill that is very steep, and down. Something even the young ones can’t manage.
Omugurusi Karwemera, has been one of the brightest people that lives. Born in Karubanda – Buhara Kabale district, he went to Muyebe Sub Selected Grade School, Kinyasano Junior Primary School and Kigezi High School.
May his soul rest in peace.
Dr Ruhakana Rugunda
Kigezi, Uganda and Africa have lost a legend, Omugurusi Festo Karwemera. He lived an exemplary life as a teacher, public servant, researcher, author and custodian of our rich cultural heritage. We celebrate his life and contribution and thank God for giving him a long and impactful life. Rest in Peace.
Center for African Cultural Excellence
Omugurusi Festo Karwemera, author and the foremost activist for the preservation and promotion of Bakiga culture and heritage, has rested. He is mourned by all Bakiga, Banyakigezi, Ugandans and enthusiasts of native cultures and traditions everywhere.
Kaguta Foundation
A great thinker and writer, he toils away at his desk, not for profit, but to save language and culture. He dedicated all his life to the preservation of Runyankole-Rukiga culture and languages. We have lost a great icon in Africa.
Jacqueline Asiimwe
He dedicated his life to the preservation of the Kiga culture and language. He was committed to this cause to the very end. We have lost a human encyclopaedia!
May we, like him, commit to knowing our heritage.
Nahabwe Keneth
A culturalist, author, storyteller, poet lion of Kigezi. A man I knew while I was a lad, he motivated me to love my land and i followed his prophecy thus I stand today by you Omugurusi Festo Karwemera.
Dr Kenneth Omona Olusegun
In solidarity, celebrating the life and times of Omugurusi Karwemera. When I first worked in Kabale, Omugurusi Festo was contacted to help me learn some basic words in Runyankore – Rukiga. He cautioned me against using Mzee but Omugurusi. Rest In Peace.
Arinaitwe Rugyendo
Rest in peace, Kigezi luminary, Mzee Festo Karwemera, at the ripe age of 93. You taught us everything can be preserved in a book. I had re-read your book ‘Emicwe n’emigyenzo y’Abakiga.’ Festo and Benedicto Mubangizi ruled the 20th century Runyankore-Rukiga literary industry!
Adapted from The Ugandan Wire.