Col Nakalema Says Father Gave Her a ‘Special Blessing’ Hours Before His Death

Col Edith Nakalema said her father Eriasaph Sserwadda insisted on blessing her in a way he said she would "never get anywhere else."

Col Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Investors Protection Unit (SHIPU), has revealed that her late father, Rev. Eriasaph Sserwada, gave her what he called a "special blessing" during a lengthy phone call on Friday—just a day before he passed away on Saturday.

Speaking during his funeral service at Kankyeganyegye Church of Uganda in Kashari South, Mbarara District, Nakalema said her father, who frequently called her, spoke to her for three hours on that final call.

Before they ended the conversation, he insisted on blessing her in a way he said she would "never get anywhere else."

“The news of my father’s death hit me deep. I almost ran mad. I was up and down looking for means to transfer him, and I was even considering asking the president for a chopper because Dad was good friends with him,” Nakalema said.

She became emotional while recalling how her father exchanged handwritten letters with President Museveni through her.

She said her father was deeply committed to his family, his wife, and education.

“During Christmas, when I visited with my family, Dad wrote a letter to President Museveni, and I delivered it. On January 3, the President responded," she said.

"Dad used to write letters to schools asking for grace periods to clear our fees, and they always listened. We will be forever grateful."

Her husband, Lt Col Jimmy Asiziwa, said Rev Sserwada became a father figure to him after he lost his own father.

“In 2004, when we came for our giveaway, I thought I would be leaving with Edith, but she was taken to Namirembe, and the following Saturday was our wedding. I can only imagine Dad sitting with his children, teaching and preaching to them—that is what we will miss,” Asiziwa said.

Bishop Onesmus Asiimwe of North Kigezi Diocese urged the family to honor the late Reverend’s dream of building a shopping mall in his name.

“Rev Sserwada always wanted to establish a shopping mall. Now that he is gone, you, his children, should fulfill his dream. He has died a happy man, having achieved the prestige and life he desired. Release him,” the bishop said.

Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa of Ankole Diocese, who was with Rev. Sserwada during his final moments, described him as a dedicated servant of God who continued ministering even after his retirement in 2023.

“When we went to Bwizibwera to transfer him to Ruharo, he was surprised, wondering how he had mobilized people to care for him. He served even after retirement,” Mwesigwa said.

Rev Sserwada will be laid to rest on Tuesday at his home in Kashari, Mbarara District.