The motion paying tribute to fallen Second Deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivejinja (pictured) turned dramatic when Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) castigated Government for abandoning the fallen Prime Minister and refused to accord him a befitting send off.
Kivejinja 85, succumbed to COVID-19 on 19th December 2020 at Mulago National Referral where he was battling the deadly virus for 4weeks before losing the battle.
Asuman Basalirwa, the Bugiri Municipality MP kicked off his tribute by describing Kivejinja as the most tolerant politician, who lived a very modest and simple life.
“He isn’t materialistic, he has no arcade or mansion in this country. He inspired many muslim families to take children to school because he was the first muslim graduate,” he said.
It was after that description that Basalirwa castigated Government for abandoning Kivejinja saying that at the burial, Government didn’t provide tents for mourners to sit in and it took the intervention of Kivejinja political rival, Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) to provide the tents at the funeral.
“There was no food. Even water provided came late; we had the worst public address system. If you can’t give Kivejinja a befitting sendoff, then who can they do it for? It was an embarrassment, it was a disappointment,” he said, adding: “If President Museveni can set up a meeting with his family, the family has a lot to say about the sendoff. I don’t know whether money was given and swindled or government couldn’t appreciate Kivejinja’s contribution, who will they appreciate. The Muslim community is asking, the Basoga are asking what happened to Kivejinja, Government should be able to explain why.”
Moses Ali, First Deputy Prime Minister led Government in paying tribute to Kivejinja describing him as approachable and a man with high integrity, candid and spoke his mind and said that the nation was going to miss his counsel.
Moses Ali confirmed that Kivejinja succumbed to COVID-19, a virus he said continues to pose serious threat to lives of Ugandans and urged Ugandans to remain vigilant and observe all the Standard Operating Procedures to fight the virus.
Leader of Opposition Betty Aol described Kivejinja as a great servant whose time on earth has been fruitful.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga defended Parliament from the Kivejinja funeral mess, saying his burial was entirely a state funeral.
“It was entirely in hand of central government,” said Kadaga.
Moses Kizige (State Karamoja Affairs) defended the decision by Government to abandon Kivejinja saying that the deceased being a muslim, his death and subsequent burial didn’t give Government time to plan for his funeral.
“It is true he died on Saturday afternoon and was buried on Sunday. Given how Government works, organisiang logistics couldn’t be done fast but President is arranging a meeting with the family,” said Minister Kizige.
However, it should be recalled that before his death was officially announced, rumour mills on social media were turning about Kivejimja’s death, a week before his death. besides, Kivejinja isn’t the first muslim to die suddenly and buried within a day, in conformity to the muslim practices.
Fellow elder, Ceclia Ogwal (Dokolo Woman) asked Ugandans to look beyond tribe and political affiliation, saying at the moment, people are timid in politics, they can’t come put to speak the truth these days.
