The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Entebbe, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja has said that government is mandated to honor the late Paul Ssemogerere with a 17-gun-salute as per the constitution.
Nabbanja made the statement during the requiem mass for the the late veteran politician at Nattale-Nkumba, in Entebbe.
“These respects are given according to one’s service to the country. He once served as Prime Minister of Uganda… yesterday we talked about 3 gun salutes but the Constitution provides for 17 gun salutes. Given that, I am just a representative here and I will stop here,” said Nabbanja who represented President Yoweri Museveni.
She also told mourners that government had awarded the late Ssemogerere an official send-off and that sh236.4 million has been given to the family to facilitate the burial arrangements.
Her statements followed that of Ssemogerere’s widow, Germina Namatovu who told mourners that the late never loved guns and that the family didn’t want the planned gun salutes.
The Last Post! pic.twitter.com/Cp6m1DbdZz
— Norbert Mao (@norbertmao) November 21, 2022
She also appealed for a send-off of her husband that is free of security scuffles.
After a statement, government officials including Prime Minister Nabbanja and the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala were seen engaged in a brief meeting with a section of security officers.
The gun salute was later carried out as the late Ssemogerere’s body was lowered to the grave.
The late Ssemogerere was born on 11th February 1932, at Bumangi, Buggala Island, in the Ssese islands. He died on Friday last week at the age of 90 years.
Today we said goodbye to our beloved elder & statesman, Mzee Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere. The outpouring of grief and emotions is evidence of how great a legacy he leaves behind. We shall miss you and always hold your legacy in the highest regard. May your soul rest in eternal peace pic.twitter.com/A8xEOy7oOQ
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) November 21, 2022
Ssemogerere contested twice for Presidency in 1980 against former President Milton Obote and in 1996 against the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni and lost before he retired from active politics.
He is a former President of the Democratic Party- DP, which he led for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was made to disappear in 1972. He handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito in 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor.
Dr. Ssemogerere is a former member of the Uganda Legislative Council in which he served between 1961 to 1962, a former Member of Parliament for North Mengo Constituency, former Leader of Opposition, former Minister of Labour and other positions.
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