07/08/2026
A STORY THAT BECAME A LEGACY
In 2024, a childhood friend, Joy Nyirinkindi, extended to me a very special invitation. She had always admired my artistry in writing, and she entrusted me with something deeply personal the opportunity to sit with her and document her life, her journey, her memories, and the experiences that shaped the woman she became.
For nearly two hours, we talked.
She opened the pages of her life and allowed me to listen not merely as a writer, but as a friend. I listened to her memories, her experiences, her joys, her challenges, and the journey that had brought her to where she was.
When I returned home that day, I began putting her story together. I carefully shaped her words into a written account and eventually sent her the full interview.
I never imagined that, one day, those words would become more than just an interview.
They would become a memory.
On 6th August 2026, Joy Nyirinkindi went to be with the Lord.
And today, I find myself returning to the words she once shared with me words spoken when we had no idea that they would someday become part of the legacy she left behind.
Life is indeed a journey. We meet people, share moments, record memories, and sometimes only later do we realise the value of those moments.
Joy gave me the privilege of telling a small part of her story while she was still here to tell it herself.
Today, I can only be grateful that I listened.
Grateful that I wrote.
Grateful that I preserved her words.
And perhaps most importantly, grateful that her story will continue to speak, even though her voice has fallen silent.
This Saturday, 8th August 2026, family, friends and loved ones will gather at Alice Gardens, Garuga Road, Entebbe, for a vigil and funeral service starting at 3:00 PM, as we come together to honour and celebrate the life of Joy Nyirinkindi.
Below, I share a small write-up from that personal interview a glimpse into the life and journey of my childhood friend, Joy Nyirinkindi.
May her memory remain a blessing, and may her soul rest in eternal peace.
Reposted
04 March 2024
Entebbe’s | Iron Lady | Tourism | Politics | Environmental Activist
Joy Annette Karwera Nyirinkindi has led her community to become almost entirely open free activism , “They call me Iron Lady, I don’t know why,” laughs Joy Nyirinkindi “I’m not ferocious or anything, I’m just doing my job.”
she strongly believes that having a fit body and mind is a key to healthy living.
To live a healthy and active life she follows a disciplined lifestyle, balanced diet plan, keeps herself involved in meaningful debates and welfare-based work. She is also very socially active and is ever ready to help any person in need of any community problem.
she is not only a strong woman but also a perfect example of active and productive ageing who believes that ‘age is just a number’. I am blessed to have such an inspiring activism Journey in my life.
Joy Kawrera Nyirinkindi as a one redoubtable lady! Born in Kisoro in 1967, a 3rd born in a family of six siblings and later as child came with her parents who were posted in Entebbe, where she started her education journey, her parents first lived in Kitubulu and later relocated to Bugonga on Edna Road in Entebbe,
While as a teenager she met the gangs of friends from St Marys Kisubi (Smack), Namasagali, Namilyango, Mary Reparatrics and her fellow Og’s from Nabbingo Girls who were living in the neighbourhood. Later on, they shifted on Kampala Road opposite present day umeme offices in Entebbe town where her mother fondly called Mukyala Kate run a shop.
Joy while supporting her mother in the shop, to her she met the world of Entebbe, from parishioners of St John’s Church and Bugonga parish, as well as the medical staff from the then Entebbe’s Grade ‘A’ and ‘B’ hospital who all frequented the mother’s shop because of her social and relational capital she created as a mother.
Recollections, Joy claims that her love of activism and music was first fostered in the Prep and nurtured in the grammar school. Her passionate enthusiasm for tourism and political community activism remains with her always; she often speaks fondly of the personal highlight of seeing Entebbe become a tourist city among those in Uganda.
A single mum, described by friends, as “hands on, sharp, bold, friendly, so colourful, engaged and determined lady” It says so much about Joy that she never hesitates to share her opinions with regards politics, tourism and environment issues all about Entebbe,
Pride of Entebbe, we celebrate the UNSTOPPABLE spirit of Joy!!, though it has not been a joy ride for her at all through her political activism. Joy is always in her strides earlier than the sparrows that chirp at dawn as if to sing happily at the prospects of a sunrise that would clear the fog and early morning mist. She, also, closes late as if to ensure that Entebbe community is safely tucked in for the night and safely asleep.
Her worry for the activism of Entebbe community is an endless struggle of restlessness. Wherever her input is needed, she never hesitates to make good on her duties and promises.
However, there have been people who have sought to oust her in a clear attempt to spite her community choice for her activism. Like what people say “Haters are not GOD!” Verily it is so, for those whom GOD hath blessed and anointed, no evil can touch.
Today, Female activists are often marginalized on social media, with hateful rhetoric and criticism directed towards them on their social media pages while they conduct rigorous debates on social injustices. Joy echoes these experiences, sharing that it is difficult to practice activism as a woman in society.
As we celebrate her, we pray that God grant her many more years to add that she may give of her immense experience. She is an institution on her own. Her knowledge is enough to tutor the multitudes in various disciplines: loyalty; honesty; patriotism; and nationalism.
A woman making social, economic, political, and religious change through social media in Entebbe community, a community leader and activist continues to bring hope to Entebbe. This inspirational woman to many among others despite her health continues to use social media as a platform for activism for the inclusion of women’s participation in all facets of life, while speaking out against poor injustices.
Pride Of Entebbe on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), TikTok, and WhatsApp we continue to showcase Entebbe to the rest of the world and as we celebrate International Women’s Day this month of march, we continue to ought to focus on the role of women in shaping the development agenda in Entebbe and the expansion of political space for women’s participation in peacebuilding. Joy Nyirinkindi serves as an excellent reminder of women’s struggle to be involved in these processes and an inspirational figure for all.
She should not be the ignored heroine of Entebbe, but rather, her peacebuilding activities ought to be acknowledged, emulated, and supported by society at large for progress to be made. Indeed, peace is costly, but it’s worth the expense.
Joy Nyirinkindi was diagnosed with cancer. Her initial response was to keep her disease a secret because of the stigma associated with it; but eventually, as a community activist she has come out as a Cancer advocate to raise awareness at local and national levels.
With activities including, Educating the public about cancer, Expressing the importance of cancer screening and early detection. “God is a big part of my story, my friends and family and children have loved me I laugh and make good memories with them despite my pain, life is for living am chanced to be worked on in my country am slowly recovering from these stages of chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy “says Joy, as she is so thankful for her family, friends and doctors. And also full of praise for the church community for the endless prayers.
Childhood comes once in everyone's life. In fact, life is so beautiful, it is so beautiful that the earth is so beautiful it can be understood only in childhood. Our inner child is especially seen when we meet our childhood friends.
Regardless of how grown up we think we are; we go back to kids the moment we are with old friends. Memories also take up the bulk of our conversation when we meet old friends after many years. The trip down memory lane is bittersweet as we long for a time we will not get back but also cherish its joy.
Nevertheless, it can be said that the inner child is kept alive by childhood memories. There is always a child inside every person. It may come out all of a sudden at any stage in life. It may also be expressed every day in the little things that we enjoy doing.
Joy is a proud follower of Pride of Entebbe
PICTURED – Pride of Entebbe’s Artistic Writer Charles Nyakaana in an exclusive interview with Entebbe’s community based and political activist, Lady Joy Annette Karwera Nyirinkindi an Entebbe Original
Charles
Artistic Writer | Rotarian | Curator
Pride Of Entebbe
