Festo Karwemera (also referred to Omugurusi Festo Karwemera Mwene Karagare Kabure-Nkeecwere) (1925 – 27 August 2020) was a Ugandan historian, cultural activist and teacher. As an author he was known for primarily documenting and writing in the Runyankore-Rukiga language. He was also credited as the founder and curator of the Bakiga Cultural Museum in Kabale.
Festo Karwemera | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1925 Kabale, Uganda |
| Died | 27 August 2020 (aged 94–95) |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Other names | Omugurusi Festo Karwemera Mwene Karagare Kabure-Nkeecwere |
| Occupation(s) | Teacher,historian,curator,author |
| Years active | 1955–2020 |
| Known for | The Home of Edirisa Museum |
| Spouse | Aidah Mary Ziryabura |
Background and education
editKarwemera was born to a cleric, Karagare Kabure-Nkeecwere in Karubanda village, Buhara sub county, Kabale District in 1925.[1]
He attended Muyebe Sub Selected Grade School, Kinyasano Junior Primary School and Kigyezi High School.[2] After leaving junior high school in 1944, Karwemera enrolled at Nyakasura Vernacular Teacher Training College qualifying as a teacher of vernacular.[3] He also qualified as a Grade II teacher from Bishop Tucker Teachers College in Mukono.[3]
Career
editIn 1955, Karwemera worked as a head teacher at Katare Primary School and was then promoted to Assistant Education Supervisor for Anglican Church Schools in Kigezi District in 1959.[4] Between 1964 and 1965, he worked as a head teacher at Hornby High School in Kabale, Uganda.[5]
In 1966, the Diocese of Kigezi appointed him to serve as the Kigezi regional chairperson for the Save The Children Fund.[6] Between 1970 and 1972, he was the head of the National Trading Corporation in Kabale.
In the 1980s he served in various positions in local government such as the head of Kabale District Service Commission. He was the head Kabale Town Council when it was transformed into a municipality during this time.
As a private businessman, he was a grain trader.[4]
Legacy
editKarwemera founded the Bakiga Cultural Museum in Kabale (sometimes referred to as The Home of Edirisa Museum or locally Akehongo Kabaana Ba Karwemera (Karwemera's Children's Hiding Place)).[7][4]
In June 2017, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in literature by Kabale University for promoting culture.[8]
Personal life
editKarwemera was married to Aidah Mary Ziryabura.[3]
He died on 27 August 2020 with the cause of death given as multiple organ failure.[1]
Publications
editKarwemera authored a number of publications in the Runyakore – Rukiga language such as
- 1966 – Otebwa Orurimi Rwawe, (Don't forget your language)[4][9]
- 1975 – Shutama nkuteekyerereze[10]
- 1980 – Ija twevugye[11]
- 1994 – Emicwe n'emigyenzo y’aBakiga (Values and Norms Of Bakiga)[9][12]
- 1995 – Empandiika ya Runyankore-Rukiga: egufuhaziibwe[13]
- 2008 – Encuukye Tushome Tujerenge[14]
- 2012 – Katondoozi y'orunyankore-Rukiga: Thesaurus of Runyankore-Rukiga (co-authored with Yoweri Museveni et al.)
Translations
editKarwerwa is credited for his work and contributions to:
- The 1995 Constitution of Uganda to Rukiga – Runyakore;
- The English Bible to Rukiga – Runyankore;[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Kigezi's cultural scholar, Omugurusi Festo Karwemera dies". Monitor. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ ATWIINE, SABRINA (8 September 2020). "Omugurusi Festo Karwemera Kigezi's shining star fades". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ a b c "Kigezi mourns legendary author Karwemera". New Vision. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Festo Karwemera 93, Still Struggling to Save Runyankore – Rukiga Language". ChimpReports. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Independent, The (30 August 2020). "Kabale leaders mourn author Festo Karwemera". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ a b Nsheeka, Wilfred Arinda (2 September 2020). "Omugurusi Festo Karwemera: The life and times of Kigezi's cultural scholar". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Cross Cultural Foundation (2012). "The Home of Edirisa Museum" (PDF). Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Mann, Collins (27 June 2017). "Kabale University awards honorary degrees". Kabale University News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ a b Reporter, Spy (30 August 2020). "Pan-Africanists Mourn Death Of Cultural Scholar Festo Karwemera 95 – TheSpy". Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ Karwemera, Festo K. (1975). Shutama nkuteekyerereze. East African Literature Bureau.
- ^ Karwemera, Festo (1980). Ija twevugye. Kampala: Centenary Publishing House.
- ^ African 671, University of Wisconsin-Madison Students in. "Rukiga Cultural Resources".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Karwemera, Festo (1995). Empandiika ya Runyankore-Rukiga : egufuhaziibwe. Kampala: Fountain Publishers. ISBN 9789970020102.
- ^ Karwemer, Festo (2008). Encuukye Tushome Tujerengye. Kabale: Nakayiba Printers and Stataioners (u) ltd.