Theresa Winfred Nansikombi, a trailblazing midwife and nurse, has left an indelible mark on Uganda’s healthcare system. Born to an Irish missionary mother and Ugandan father in 1930, Nansikombi’s life reads like a script that perfectly blends Uganda’s colonial history, its music, and its public service. While Sebaduka’s song celebrated her beauty, her true beauty lay in her golden heart – earning her the nickname “JajjaMaama,” a unique combination of grandmother and mother, reflecting her role as a maternal figure to countless individuals
Affectionately known as “JajjaMaama,” Nansikombi dedicated her life to serving others. She worked tirelessly as a nurse and midwife at institutions like Mubende and Jinja hospitals, saving countless lives while raising three generations of children.
Nansikombi’s legacy extends beyond her remarkable healthcare contributions. She was famously immortalized in Christopher Sebaduka’s 1970s hit song “Tereza Owebina Edene.” Although the song praised her beauty, Nansikombi was more renowned for her compassion, dedication, and selflessness.
As news of her passing spread, many have taken to honoring her memory. Her funeral marks the end of an extraordinary life that connected Uganda’s cultural and healthcare history. Theresa Nansikombi will forever be remembered as a muse, healer, and maternal figure to many. Rest in peace, Owebina Edene.
Known affectionately as “JajjaMaama,” Nansikombi wasn’t just the subject of Sebaduka’s seven-minute musical admiration – she was a distinguished nurse and midwife whose career spanned multiple government ministries and whose heart expanded to mother three generations of children beyond her own.
“The song made me famous for not so nice reasons,” she would often say with her characteristic smile, “but my work made me famous for the right ones.” Indeed, while Sebaduka crooned about her physical attributes, Nansikombi was busy saving lives at numerous institutions including Mubende Referral Hospital, Jinja Hospital, and various
In a twist of fate that connects Uganda’s musical heritage with its healthcare heroes, Theresa Winfred Nansikombi, famously immortalised in Christopher Sebaduka’s 1970s
hit song “Teresa owebina edene,” passed away on December 1st, 2024. While younger generations have danced to this catchy tune about “Teresa with the lovely bum,” few knew they were celebrating a remarkable woman who shaped countless lives in Uganda’s healthcare system.
