Festo Karwemera

Festo Karwemera (also referred to as 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.

Background and education Karwemera was born to a cleric, Karagare Kabure-Nkeecwere in Karubanda village, Buhara sub county, Kabale District in 1925.

He attended Muyebe Sub Selected Grade School, Kinyasano Junior Primary School and Kigyezi High School. After leaving junior high school in 1944, Karwemera enrolled at Nyakasura Vernacular Teacher Training College qualifying as a teacher of vernacular.

In 1966, the Diocese of Kigezi appointed him to serve as the Kigezi regional chairperson for the Save The Children Fund. 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.

Personal life Karwemera was married to Aidah Mary Ziryabura.

He died on 27 August 2020 with the cause of death given as multiple organ failure. 1975 – Shutama nkuteekyerereze 1980 – Ija twevugye 1994 – Emicwe n'emigyenzo y’aBakiga (Values and Norms Of Bakiga) 1995 – Empandiika ya Runyankore-Rukiga: egufuhaziibwe 2008 – Encuukye Tushome Tujerenge 2012 – Katondoozi y'orunyankore-Rukiga: Thesaurus of Runyankore-Rukiga (co-authored with Yoweri Museveni et al.)

Translations Karwerwa is credited for his work and contributions to:

The 1995 Constitution of Uganda to Rukiga – Runyakore; The English Bible to Rukiga – Runyankore;