Dr Sebastian Ziraba Funeral & Memory

The family of Dr. Ziraba announces with deep sorrow the death of Dr. Sebastian Ziraba of Derwood, MD, who passed away on 23-May-2020 after a battle with prostate cancer.

We remember Dr. Ziraba as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, educator, entrepreneur and friend who served as a guiding light to the many of us that were lucky to interact with him. He has been a pillar of our community in the Washington DC metro area and will be sorely missed. As a mentor and advisor to many, he went out of his way to assist others such as helping budding entrepreneurs negotiate local regulations and requirements.  He also assisted many individuals in obtaining legal work permits and residencies in the US.  It was especially in this capacity that he showed himself to be very kind, warm and supportive, always trying to help even when he could not. 

Funeral:
Following a viewing and service at Robert A. Pumphrey Funeral Homes in Rockville, MD, Dr Ziraba was laid to rest at All Souls Cemetery, 11401 Brink Road, Germantown, MD  on June 1, 2020.

Contributions (“Nziko”/ “Mabugo”):

In recognition of Dr. Ziraba’s love and dedication to early childhood education, the family is setting up the Dr Sebastian Ziraba Scholastic Fund to benefit the two schools in Eastern Uganda where Sebastian started his journey in education – Nabisoigi Primary School in Ivukula, Namutumba district and Budini Junior School in Kaliro, Kaliro district.

The family is partnering with the Kingdom of Busoga to pass 100% of the contributions to the two schools in the hope that we can inspire a kindred spirit of dedication to education among a few more youngsters in his place of birth.

We are passing back Dr. Ziraba’s torch. 

Life journey

After qualifying as a teacher at the Uganda National Teachers’ College Kyambogo, Dr Ziraba was a school Principal and later Director of Extra-Mural Studies at Makerere University’s Centre for Continuing Education. He proceeded to the US after receiving a prestigious scholarship for further studies, eventually earning a doctorate in Early Childhood Education at the State University of New York at Buffalo, New York. Following a stint of teaching assignments at State University of New York at Buffalo, NY; University of Maryland Eastern Shore; and Howard University, he established the Optimal Learning Schools in MD and Sienna Montessori School in Houston TX. 

He is survived by his wife Ola Ziraba, daughter Sonya and three grandchildren.

The family may be reached via the GoFundMe contact link.