Rhoda Kalema - Rhoda Kalema

My Life is But A Weaving

In her autobiography, “My Life is But a Weaving,” Rhoda Kalema, 92, weaves a beautiful tapestry of her journey in faith through decades of service and sacrifice. Rhoda is a gifted storyteller. She recounts life as a student at King’s College Budo in the 1930s and 1940s. At Budo, she gets a taste of leadership as a girls’ prefect and experiences tragedy with the loss of her sister, Sara, in a lightning strike in the hills of Budo. Rhoda’s father, Katikiro (Prime Minister) Martin Luther Nsibirwa, is felled by an assassin’s bullet in 1945 at Namirembe Cathedral.

In 1950, Rhoda married William Wilberforce Kalema, a Budo teacher, who served as a minister in the first Obote government. In 1958, she joined the Uganda Women’s Council, embarking on a lifelong commitment to improving the status of women in Uganda. In 1972, a year after Idi Amin seized power in a coup, her husband William disappeared, never to be found. Through immense personal loss, Rhoda finds her purpose serving God and her country. She writes of digging a well in Kyebando as representative on the National Consultative Council after the Amin regime, campaigning as an MP for Kiboga, and serving on the Constituent Assembly in 1994. As a pioneer in the Uganda Women’s Movement, her character and courage shine through this terrific book. Her example of selfless service to the country will inspire generations to come.

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Memoir Overview

The 92 year old Rhoda Kalema has seen enough trouble to last two lifetimes. Though a child of privilege, being outspoken and believing in creating a better country have ensured endless trouble for her. The result is a book that needs to be read by any who want to understand Uganda. Early in her life, lightning strikes her close sister Sarah, missing Rhoda by inches. That incident leaves Rhoda a solitary traveller for the rest of her life.

Further on, her father, Buganda Katikiro Martin Luther Nsibirwa, is struggling against extremely powerful people for land to build on Makerere University. A day after the bill is passed; an assassin shoots him outside Namirembe Cathedral. Many years later, Rhoda's husband, William Wilberforce Kalema, returns to Idi Amin's Uganda. On suspicion of funding rebellion, the fearful powers descend without warning. The grave of William Wilberforce Kalema has never been found. Why then, after all this, does Rhoda choose to enter the political arena? This can probably only be justified by her belief in a God who determines everything.

So we find Rhoda working alongside locals, on the campaign trail, deep in discussions to set up the Uganda Patriotic Movement and taking on impossible challenges. One finds Rhoda's forceful personality in action behind many changes in her constituency, in the Women movement, in the church world, in pushing government.

Her love for people comes through, being what God has used, as the title says, to weave her life. Rhoda's tracks go through tears, pain and sacrifice. They are clear for all who believe in the motto, 'For God and my Country', to follow.

About the author

Rhoda Kalema is a pioneer and leader of the Uganda Women's Movement. Rhoda joined the Uganda Council of Women (UCW) in 1958. She served as one of two women on the National Consultative Council (NCC), Uganda's interim parliament after the collapse of the Idi Amin regime in 1979.

She helped found the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) in 1980. As one of the country’s first women parliamentarians, she represented Kiboga District and, in 1994, served on the Constituent Assembly, the body tasked with drawing up the 1995 Constitution. She has been a tireless advocate for women’s rights, good governance, and development in Uganda and a mentor to countless women in politics. She is 92 years old.

Endorsements

‘I was born on 10th May1929 in Mengo Hospital’. So begins Rhoda Kalema’s memoirs ‘My Life is But a Weaving’. In her long life Rhoda has witnessed all the phases of Uganda’s recent history: its colonial past, the role of the Buganda Kingdom, Uganda’s emergence as a nation, the abrogation of the constitution and attack on Mengo, the Idi Amin years, the tumultuous years after Amin, and the NRM government. She has been imprisoned, and lost her father and her husband to violent death.
Rhoda is now 92 and is still an advocate for change. From time to time she will call me regarding a newspaper column, which she thinks is important. Her children William and Gladys are also well known for their contribution to Uganda’s development – William in the private sector, and Gladys in conservation. Rhoda is indeed a wonderful role model. She is a living legend.

Dr. Ian Clarke

An icon of the Uganda women’s rights movement, a pioneer social worker and one of the first women Parliamentarians, Hon. Rhoda Kalema has lived a remarkable life. Through this uplifting book, Rhoda shares the tumultuous events in her personal life and Uganda’s recent history, with humility and humor. Rhoda’s personal integrity, her courage, resilience and commitment to human dignity shines through. I have been privileged to know Rhoda and this book has inspired me afresh. It has lessons for every leader.

Winnie Byanyima

Executive Director UNAIDS

As this memoir so beautifully shows, Rhoda Nsibirwa Kalema is a model leader that future generations can emulate. We can all learn from her courage in the face of despotic rule, her dedication to her country and its peoples, and her determination to improve the status of ordinary women in Uganda. As someone who has been writing about women in Ugandan politics for over 25 years, I regard Hon. Kalema as a pioneer, not only of the women’s movement in Uganda, but of women’s engagement with politics in the post-independence era in Africa. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the role of women in Uganda’s politics.

Aili Mari Trip

Nothing else but My Life Is but a Weaving can unravel the story of Rhoda Kalema. The intricate of time and experiences in this autobiography are akin to the journey of a river, characterized with moments of calm and clarity, torment and vigor, service and victory, faith and hope… artistically presented to evoke awe for the character, Rhoda Kalema.

Naima Kassim

Moran Publishers

An extraordinary autobiography of an outstanding life lived with remarkable faith, grasp/understanding of life, and astounding gratitude! The depth of institutional memory and recounting is fantastic! The photographs capture so much of Ugandans history – giving a window, a peek into many great things that happened. Her story telling is gripping – you see the greatness, but feel like she left a space, of deep humility and authenticity, that let’s the reader enter and journey with her through both the good and deeply painful situations! A wonderful autobiography that brings so much together for an enjoyable read that calls one to reflect on life, and above all, the faithfulness of the Weaver! As a Ugandan, who finds herself in professional frontiers where women are still grappling, this book holds insights and comforts and gives much courage!

Sara Ossiya

Such a gripping book, today I read chapter 10, couldn’t put it down until I finished it – powerful story and what made it even more so, is that I could see some parts of the story in today’s Uganda and how our leaders tend to deal with those with views different from their own.

Dr. Robert Ddamulira

Thank you so much for sending me the book. I am enjoying reading it, what an eye opener! it’s taught me a lot of Ugandan History. Please tell [Hon. Rhoda Kalema] she paved the way to Edinburgh university as my second daughter is studying architecture there now. Love love it. It should be compulsory read for all year 7 pupils in Uganda.

Hadijjah Mulindwa Bloom

Finally I have found a purpose lived life in my daughter Mrs. Rhoda Kalema. What a weaving!! Those who trust in the lord are like my Zion. If I find your grandfather in heaven, I’ll give him a big kikiga hug for taking your mother to school at that time when women were not considered important. What a woman of substance, polished, courageous (Emanzi). The Modern Deborah.
I wish there was a way this book could reach every woman, particularly widows.

Mrs. Veronica Kaihura

“The book will be an important point of reference for any future writer who covers the birth and early years of Uganda as a sovereign State. It contains so much fascinating information, and in a voice which is so objective and non-partisan.”

“To mention just one remarkable aspect of the book: It presents the names and roles of a huge cast of characters, from so many backgrounds and so many of whom she [Rhoda] remembers as friends. She [Rhoda] has had a wonderful gift of friendship. I’ve found myself wondering if this tells us something that we in the UK and USA must learn again from societies like Uganda’s.”

David Chambers

“Please tell your mother from me that her book is truly inspirational. So much history. I enjoyed the whole book but particularly enjoyed the post amin information. Truly an inspirational lady. Thank you for writing this book which I’ve just finished reading while on holiday in Cape Verde. 🙏🏼”

My Life is But A Weaving

My Life is But A Weaving

Memoir Overview

Rhoda Kalema signing the constitution, 1995

Receiving books for Kiboga schools from Peter and Sue Woodsford, 1993

About the author

Endorsements

Dr. Ian Clarke

Winnie Byanyima

Executive Director UNAIDS

Aili Mari Trip

Naima Kassim

Moran Publishers

Sara Ossiya

Dr. Robert Ddamulira

Hadijjah Mulindwa Bloom

Mrs. Veronica Kaihura

David Chambers

Bhavna Mehta

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