Atalyeba Birungi: Hard working, devout Catholic

In one of the famous works of  English poet, scholar and lawyer,  John Donne, a holy sonnet titled, Death be not proud  bears a message that challenges death and the fear that it inspired in many men, on the grounds of  Donne’s belief that those who die are sent to Heaven to live eternally.

 Part of the poem reads,
‘Death be not proud, though some have called thee  Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so...’ This  is the kind of confrontation one would want to have when they lose a loved one.

On August 28, grief engulfed the people in the hospitality industry in Fort Portal and Uganda after doctors at Karen Hospital in Kenya announced the death of Enid Atalyeba Birungi Ateenyi.
Birungi, the director of Ataco group of companies that runs Ataco Country Resort in Fort Portal City had been rushed to Karen  for treatment.  Many could not hide their grief when they eulogised the businesswoman on September 6.

Developmental
The hardworking woman, guardian, friend and a mother to many is remembered for being down to earth and loved all equally.
“I remember in 1999 when we had just returned from prayers at Virika Cathedral in Fort Portal with our late father and our mother we were on dining table eating and she told us that she wanted to clear the bush (where the hotel now  stands), and put something developmental,” Larry Agaba, her son said
“With our father, we stared at her in disbelief. Years later, we saw machines clearing the bush and the hotel was established.”

Agaba added that his mother had many dreams and was a perfectionist. She used to start her day with a cup of tea and start work without resting until she completes the tasks at hand.
“Our late father used to ask her, ‘can’t you rest?’ and her response was always, ‘No,’ because she loved to work,” Agaba recalled. “I have lost a mother and loving best friend who lived an exemplary life. She welcomed everyone to our home.”
 
Warrior
The mother of four who was married to John Mugarra Atalyeba is survived by (Lillian Kebirungi, Lydia Ngonzi, Larry Agaba and Richard Lee Twesige) and two grandchildren was a warrior.
Her health began to deteriorate in July. She complained about chest complications and later doctors diagnosed it as an aortic dissection. She was first admitted at Kabarole hospital and later referred to Kampala  from where she was airlifted  to Karen Hospital in Kenya.

“My mother had always been stubborn, and a fighter. I thought she would not accept to be referred to Kampala hospitals but when I talked to her and she accepted, it was a sign that she was weak. I remember her sending me a test on July 15, that read, “My love, I am here,” and I responded, ‘Where?’ She said, ‘In the hospital’, Agaba recounted.

Loving
 Betty Tibaleka, a friend described Birungi as intelligent, smart and that she loved children and many people in the community.
“When I first visited her home, I mistook it for a school. I  found more than 10 children with her and she had a blackboard and chalk as she was teaching them English. I asked whether she had started a school and she quickly responded that she loved to see a bright future for all the children,” Tibaleka said.

Devout Catholic
Birungi loved her faith. As a Catholic, she contributed to several church projects including the construction of Kasusu Church and she subscribed to the St Jude group. As a patron, she made several pilgrimages to different places. It is said that even on her deathbed, she was praying.
The Fort Portal Diocese Bishop, Dr Robert Muhiirwa Akiiki, said because of her caring nature, she used to cook food and take it to the priests at Virika Diocese during the Covid-19 crisis.

“As a church, we have lost an innovative, creative, hardworking woman who was given many talents by God. Birungi said a prayer, wherever she went,”  Bishop Muhiirwa said.
Her elder son Richard Lee Twesige,  says their parents (both now deceased) worked together to build their family based on faith values. “Up to the time of her death, our mother was God-fearing and always told us to imitate Christ,”  Twesige said.

Unique
David Baguma, a relative, described Birungi as a role model to many people in Fort Portal because from the time she got married in 1990,  she inspired many people to unite and start income-generating projects.
“As a family, we trusted her with all the responsibilities and she loved and respected all and we are proud of her as family,” Baguma said.

Because of her love for many people, people with functions such as weddings, and conferences used to prefer hiring Ataco Country Resort. Her burial was held at the resort on September 6.
 
At a glance
Who is Enid Atalyeba Birungi?
Enid Atalyeba Birungi was born to William Billy and  Yunia Kabuzi Timbigamba on October 24, 1956
She went  to Kyebambe Primary School in Fort Portal, Kyebambe Girls Secondary School before joining Nakawa College of Commerce, now Makerere University Business School.

She worked as an accountant at Dairy Corporation and Shell Uganda. She was a member of Uganda Hotel Owners’ Association, board member of Uganda Tourist Board and member of Tooro People’s Conference.
She died on July 28, and was buried on  September 6.