Essie
By BigEyeUg Team
A private memorial service for the late H.E Esther Nakajjigo (Essie), the Uganda-European Union ambassador for women and girls was held at Princess Diana High School in Kampala on Monday.
The memorial service followed the return of her body from the US on Saturday. Essie passed on June 13 after she was involved in a freak car accident at the Arches National Park in Utah, USA.
Her fateful day came on a weekend when she had gone for a picnic with her two friends during a stormy weather.
A strong wind brought down a shopping mall gate, hitting the car where the deceased was seated with her friends, leaving only one survivor.
At the age of 25, Essie has been the ambassador for women and girls, a non-governmental organization in Uganda, and run by the International Women and Girls Forum.
She was passionate about ending teenage pregnancies and a strong advocate for girls and women’s rights. She was a champion for girl-child education and combating issues of rape and defilement around the globe.
“Although young in age, Essie presented herself with a maturity well beyond her age. She had achieved what most of us, way beyond her age, can only dream to achieve. She touched many lives – those who benefited immediately from the services she facilitated, such as at the Princess Diana
Health Centre, but also those who she won over as fellow advocates for the causes that were dear to her.” Thomas TIEDEMANN, the Ag. Head of Co-operation of the European Union to the Republic of Uganda said during the memorial service.
Essie impacted the lives of many young girls through the “saving innocence challenge”, a reality TV show that highlighted the plight of teenage girls in underprivileged communities.
She had also established a clinic in her community that provides free adolescent health and reproductive health services to young people.
The Director Criminal Investigation, AIGP Grace Akullo lays a wreath on late Esther Nakajjigo’s casket during the memorial service.
“We need to continue to be inspired by Essie, and to pursue her cause. This is what I challenge all of you, all of us, today.” He added.
Essie was eulogized as courageous, ambitious, an admiration and inspiration to many young girls.
Essie had been pursuing a Master’s Degree in humanitarian-related studies at the University of Colorado.
Rest in peace Essie!