The East African Diaspora Media Watch (EADM)

Dallas, Texas—The remains of Derrick Bagenda, 26, an American of Ugandan origin who was shot dead in his apartment by unknown assailants in Dallas was last Saturday laid to rest at the Restland Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. The burial was attended by mourners from as far as Bahamas, Florida, Illinois, Arkansas, and a cross-section of the diverse communities in the Dallas Fort Worth area. The remains of Derrick Bagenda were interred in a special chamber inside a huge mausoleum built on the expansive grounds of the Restland Cemetery. After the casket was fork-lifted and slotted into the vault on the third level, it was sealed with tiles. Two tombstones; one inside and another outside the chamber were encased.

  

Derrick Bagenda was discovered shot dead inside his apartment in the 5400 block of Peterson Lane in Dallas on Thursday 10, 2017 at approximately 11:41 PM, the Dallas Police announced here on Friday, August 11. The killers are still on the run. The Dallas Police Department (DPD) is still investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and has even offered “to pay a reward of up to $5,000 for information called into Crime Stoppers that could lead to the arrest and indictment for this felony offense and other felony offenses,” a public announcement on the DPD Blog posted on August 11, 2017 read in part.

“Anyone with information regarding this murder is encouraged to contact Homicide Detective Brent Maudlin at 214-671-3676 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..” Writing on its blog, at https://dpdbeat.com/,  the Dallas Police Department advised anyone with information to refer to case number 182383-2017.

Born on August 5, 1991, Derrick died Five days after celebrating his 26th birthday. The tragic death of Derrick Bagenda, an American of Ugandan origin at the hands of unknown assailants has left the family devastated, relatives and friends shocked beyond belief, the Ugandan community in the DFW area distressed, and the Dallas law enforcement searching for clues to resolve the murder.Little wonder that the officers of the Dallas Police Department were noticeably present at all the funeral events.The last born of four siblings raised by a single mother, Derrick Bagenda was brought to the USA in 2002 by his mother Ms. Juliet Wamala when he was in third grade at the tender age of 11.

Ms. Juliet Wamala, who previously lived in Chicago, Illinois, and Little Rock, Arkansas before she moved to Dallas, Texas, raised her four children; two girls and two boys as a single mother. The late Derrick Bagenda was the last born of the siblings including Fiona, Rachel, and Isaac; all biological children of Ms. Juliet Wamala and Mr. Richard Sembuusi of Masaka, Uganda.

Speaking during the funeral service, Pastor Dan Dockery of Covenant Church in Dallas reminded the mourners of what King David said 4000 years ago in  2 Samuel 12:23: “But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." Pastor Dan Dockery was referring to the comforting words King David spoke to Bathsheba, after the death of his first son with her.  Pastor Dan Dockery assured the congregation that there is life after death. “David believed it, the Jews believed it, the Egyptians believed it, and we, through our Savior Jesus Christ, we believe it,” he said, adding, “there is the life where Derrick has gone and we will meet him there.”

Engineer Kimbugwe Kateregga Ph.D. from Florida led the congregation in singing a rendition of Psalm 23. Eulogizing Derrick Bagenda, all those who spoke described him as a very kind, helpful, loving, and generous person who cared more about those in need than for himself. The speakers also offered words of comfort to Juliet Wamala, the mother promising to “be there for her anytime she needed them.”

They also hailed her two daughters; Fiona and Rachel for standing by their Mom during this time of loss. Gloria, Rachel’s friend from Florida was saluted for being a real friend in both in need and deed. Evangelist Anne, ‘the Mother to all children’, paid glowing tribute to Derrick: “Derrick was a humble, kind, down to earth, loving, helpful, and a faithful person who believed in God and I believe he is in a safe and right place,” evangelist Mother Anne, originally from Zimbabwe said. She said before she met Juliet, the mother, she met Derrick for Bible study sessions in her house. “I am God,” I am Jesus, I am a Father nature,” she recalled what Derrick used to tell her.

   

Ms. Lillian Tugume Mukasa, a friend, and neighbor to the Juliet Wamala family admonished the mourners to pray ceaselessly for themselves and their children and to teach their children how to pray for themselves. “We have no time but to pray continuously as we prepare for our time; should teach kids how to pray; and children should learn how to pray,” Ms. Tugume said. “The devil can take kids from us anytime,” she warned. On an optimistic note, she said, however, that we would have been weeping if we had no God, our comforter in all the troubles we go through. Ms. Lillian Tugume told mourners about an incident when Juliet called her in the night to say that Derrick had brought a homeless boy to the house. “I came down to her house and we prayed as that was the only way we had to resolve the issue,” she said.

Mrs. Harriet Walulya, who described herself as a Pastor confessed that although she is a minister and a spiritual friend to Juliet, was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the tragedy. “I am now speechless and do not have much to say but to confirm to you Juliet that God has something special for you; the holy spirit,” she assured. Since you decided to serve the Lord, it is only the Lord who will comfort you during this tragic time of the loss of your child, Derrick. “God needed Derrick more than we needed him and has taken him where he is at peace,” Mrs. Walulya said.

A family friend, Ms. Grace Nandawula Musoke prayed that God strengthens Derrick’s mother and his siblings to transcend this difficult period of bereavement. “Since you are born-again, I trust that prayer and the Word of God will give you strength and become a source of healing,” she said. A friend for the last eight years, Grace met Juliet on a flight to Boston for a religious conference and both agreed to develop relationships between their children. “Since both of us were mothers to teenagers, we wished that our children meet, date, and eventually develop a relationship,” she testified, adding, “although we tried, it did not happen and now one of them is gone,” she said with regret.

 

A representative from McDonald's where Derrick had worked for over two years paid tribute to Derrick saying: “He was such a friendly employee in whom the company had a lot of hope.” She assured Derrick’s family that the company managers, workmates, and friends of Derrick will be there for you anytime you need them.” Phillip, a friend, and roommate said: “Derrick was a brother to me.”

He said that “I was there but in 10-15 minutes after I had stepped out he was gone; dead. “I will miss my buddy,” He tearfully said. Another friend who fought tears while he spoke saluted his “buddy and brother for having been there for him all the time he needed help.” All Derrick’s friends, dreadlocked and conspicuously spotting bright red ties, were among the pall bearers who carried the casket to its final resting place.

But the shortest yet the most moving of tributes came from Derrick’s elder sister Dr. Rachel Nambuusi who, together with her friend Gloria Nakalema flew in from Florida and took the lead in organizing the funeral. “We are grateful to all of you who flew in from all over the USA, the Bahamas, and especially, the Dallas community who have come in big number to be with us during this time of loss,” Rachel said as she broke down with emotion. Spontaneously, silent and uncontrollable snuffles started to echo throughout the chapel that had filled beyond its capacity. Perhaps that was the signal for the congregation to start filing out of the Chapel to move towards the mausoleum where the body of Derrick was interred.

Following the burial, the family of the late Derrick Bagenda hosted a reception in memory of the deceased at the Covenant Church located at 2660 East Trinity Mills Road, Carrolton, TX, 75006. Earlier on Friday, the wake (viewing) for the late Derrick Bagenda took place at the same venue, the Restland Funeral Home, and Cemetery between 6:00 PM and 9:00 pm.

The late Derrick Bagenda went to Bradley Elementary School before attending Dunbarn Middle Magnet School, all in Littlerock, Arkansas. He graduated from Central High School in Little Rock, also a Magnet School. Magnet Schools are most sought after and are highly rated compared with public schools in Littlerock and the entire state of Arkansas. When he moved to Dallas, Texas, Derrick attended Brooke Haven Community College for a couple of semesters before he dropped out.

“Derrick was a very kind person who loved to help the helpless and homeless people. He used to help them with food and even provided them with accommodation at his apartment,” a tearful mother told the EADM in an interview earlier last week. “I did everything to provide a good education for my children to ensure they have a bright future but sometimes, whatever we do or plan may not bring the best of outcomes,” the mother sadly said.

Last Tuesday, August 15, a candle light vigil was held in memory of Derrick Bagenda at the McDonalds on Mont Ford 635 (LBJ) Frway). Derrick has been working with McDonald's for over two years. The candle light event was attended by his former workmates, supervisors, friends, and his family members. Last May, Derrick was voted employee of the month of May 2017. McDonald's had even worked out plans with the deceased to ensure that he returned to school and had committed to paying his tuition at Brook Haven Community College, the mother told the EADM at her residence on Wednesday.

Members of the DFW community wishing to go and comfort the family are encouraged to visit them at the residence of Ms. Juliet Wamala, 5383 Southern Blvd, Apt# 346. Dallas, TX 75240. Those planning to visit are advised to call phone number 469 579 9496.  May the soul of Derrick Bagenda rest in eternal peace.