By Solomon Hamala
BUGWERI
A somber mood filled the air as hundreds of mourners bid fare well to the late Second Deputy Prime Minister, Hajji Kirunda Kivenjinja.
Kivenjinja passed on Saturday 19th December from the deadly COVID 19 virus.
The deceased was yesterday 20th December 2020, laid to rest at his ancestral home in Buwabe village, Ibulanku sub county in Bugweri district amidst sobs and tears from locals, Politicians, and government officials who turned up to witness his final send off.
President Yoweri Museveni, in a condolence message read for him by the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda described the deceased as a committed and patriotic mobilizer.
Museveni said Kivenjinja played a big role in nurturing the young generation to realize the past history of the country which has helped many make informed choices about the political future of the country.
“He has died at a time when the nation needed him more,” he said.
Museveni said as a staunch Pan Africanist, the deceased always took time to preach the need by the young generation to have a passion for their continent instead of adopting western cultures.
He urged Ugandans to observe regulations put in place by the ministry of health to combat the spread of COVID 19 virus like maintaining social distances, wearing face masks, or using alcohol based sanitizers.
“The disease is real and is rapidly killing innocent lives just because people have ignored measures put in place by the ministry of health,” he said.
Museveni said the government would meet all the burial expenses of the deceased.
The Minister for the Presidency, Esther Mbayo described the deceased as an approachable person who was ready to offer advice at any time of the day.
Mbayo said being a veteran politician, the nation had lost an encyclopedia that could help provide detailed information about the past regimes, history of the country and any other relevant information.
The State Minister for Lands, Persis Namuganza urged Basoga to avoid bickering and infighting and instead unite if the sub region is to attain development.
“In Busoga when a leader discovers that another one has been appointed to any higher office in government, the next thing they want to do is to see him or her pulled down to zero,” she said.
Namuganza said the deceased always advised her to stay firm and not to be intimidated by top Basoga politicians while in office.
The Mufti of Uganda Sheikh, Shaban Ramathan Mubaje who led prayers for the deceased urged Ugandans to always respect advice given to them by leaders in case they are to survive longer.
Mubaje said the UMSC had instructed all district Khadis to mobilize all Imams country wide to close down mosques that fail to buy soap or sanitizers to protect their faithfuls against contracting COVID 19 virus.
