Uganda Law Society remembers the legacy of their past president, Senior Counsel Deo Rubumba Nkunzingoma. Nkunzingoma, 64, died on Sunday, 21st July at Nakasero Hospital after a long unsuccessful battle with stomach complications.
In a message delivered at St. Mary’s Mutolere Catholic Parish by Counsel Martin Asingwire on behalf of the Uganda Law Society’s current president, Bernard Oundo, Asingwire described the late Senior Counsel Nkunzingoma as a man of indomitable character whose integrity and commitment will always be missed in the legal fraternity.
Counsel Asingwire said the late Senior Counsel will be remembered for his benevolent fund initiatives and his exemplary professionalism. He added that his tenure was marked by sound achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the friends, the Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, described the late Senior Counsel Deo Rubumba as a childhood friend from their primary days. Dr. Pius studied at Mutolere Primary School while the late Rubumba attended Kagera Primary School. Dr. Pius said the late was a kind man throughout their friendship, which continued up to St. Paul’s Seminary and university.
Bigirimana, on behalf of the friends, committed to giving full attention to the children of the late.
Preceding the professional friends, the family of the late described Senior Counsel Nkunzingoma as a great pillar in their lives. His children, Joseph Iriho and Dominic Ndinayo, described their late father as a man of integrity who didn’t disown them when their mother died in 2001. They emphasized that their father provided all he could to ensure their happiness. They appealed to family members and friends to continue visiting them as they are now total orphans.
The siblings, led by their elder brother Rev. Fr. Deus Nkurunziza, eulogised the late Deo Nkunzingoma as a great pillar, saying his death has brought darkness to their family.
Giving his sermon, the chaplain of St. Ignitius University, Rev. Fr. Zeno Mbishinzimana, urged mourners to consider their own legacy.
Late Senior Counsel Rubumba was born to his late parents Dominic Rubumba and Salome Kamashari on 24th November 1959 in Ruburankono, Gasiza Parish, Nyakabande Sub-county inKisoro District. He attended Kagera Primary School and upon completion, he joined Mutolere Secondary School for Ordinary Level and subsequently Nyakasura School for Advanced Level.
He later enrolled at Makerere University for a Bachelor’s of Law in 1981 and graduated in 1985.
In 1989, he went to Melbourne, Australia, to pursue a course in project planning, management, and implementation. He also secured a British Council scholarship to study international legislative drafting at the Royal Institute of Public Administration and pursued a course in risk management and insurance at Glasgow Polytechnic in Scotland.
He married his late wife, Annah Odeta Nkunzingoma, on August 22, 1992. Unfortunately, she passed away nine years later, leaving him with two children, Joseph Iriho and Dominic Ndinayo.
He was born with five siblings: two brothers, Dr. Fr. Deus Nkurunziza and Gregory Tumwizere (RIP), and three sisters, Adeodata Kwizera, Annette Kabatoro, and Bernadette Fatokunboh.
He worked at Ayigihugu’s Law Firm, as Legal Officer and Corporation Secretary for National Housing and Construction Corporation, as Legal Officer and Corporation Secretary for Uganda Electricity Board, and at National Insurance Corporation before opening his own law firm.
He died as a renowned legal practitioner in Uganda.
Celebrated as a devout Catholic, he was the President of the Legion of Mary and a cooperator of the Daughters of Saint Paul. He also served Christ the King Church in various capacities, including being a member of the church building committee that built the current church.
