Africa-Press – Uganda. FUNERALPresident Yoweri Museveni has led other leaders in paying tribute to the late Second Deputy Prime Minister, Ali Kirunda Kivejinja, whose death at the age of 85 has also reinforced the call to Ugandans to take seriously the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic.Kivejinja died on Saturday at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Uganda’s capital Kampala, where he had been admitted for over a month after testing positive for COVID-19.The send-off prayers for the late politician held at the National Mosque in Old Kampala on Sunday presented a platform for leaders to both pay homage to a man who was “proud of his religion” and committed to serving his country, as well as to voice their stance on the need for Ugandans not to let their guard down at a time of elevated threat by the coronavirus.Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Shaban Ramathan Mubajje was particularly dismayed by the manner in which people are becoming lax despite repeated calls by authorities to obey the measures instituted to prevent the contraction and spreading of the virus.He said that as the country remembers the contributions of Kivejinja to especially Uganda’s Muslim community, it is equally important that no more lives are lost as a result of non-adherance to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against COVID-19.Mubajje said people have thrown caution to the wind amid a pandemic that has become even more dangerous. “People are careless,” he said. “COVID-19 is here – and it is even worse.”
Speaking at a special national prayer session punctuated with social distancing among those in attendance, the Mufti urged Muslims who regularly go to mosques to pray to perform ablution at their respective homes, wear a mask, carry along a prayer mat, sanitise at the mosque and maintain a social distance while inside the mosque.Meanwhile, Mubajje shared similar sentiments about Kivejinja as the speakers before him, saying that he was instrumental in the foundation of the the Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) – and always proudly carried his identity of being a Muslim.He added that Kivejinja, already described as a “very good and close friend” of President Yoweri Museveni, guided the president and the Prime Minister on Islamic issues.The Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who attended the prayers virtually, said Kivejinja was very articulate in matters pan-Africanism and that “wherever he went, he would make positive connections”.He said he was happy that many of Kivejinja’s children managed to travel back home from different parts of the world for the burial of their father. “That family of solidarity, that family of togetherness is deeply appreciated”.Commenting on the pandemic, Rugunda, who put himself into self-isolation after some of his contacts tested positive for COVID-19 mid-this year, said “it is the responsibility of everybody to defeat this pandemic”.”The responsibility [to fight the virus] now is in our hands as individuals, as families and as communities. Let everyone know that COVID kills, and it is kiling many of our people.”
The PM, who led a national taskforce against the pandemic, said Ugandans “have the powers” to prevent COVID-19 by socially distancing, wearing masks and washing hands with soap and water.Rugunda also delivered President Museveni’s condolence message, describing the late as having been “a dedicated pan-Africanist” who used his advanced education to help in the liberation of Uganda.”He lived a life of sacrifice, discipline and humility”, a life “saturated with great commitment”, added the President, who extended “heartfelt condolences on behalf of my family, the Government, the NRM and Ugandans at large”.Kivejinja’s nephew, Prof. Wasswa Balunywa, spoke on behalf of the family.He revealed how the late was a prince in Busoga and a very learned man who studied zoology at Delhi University India after attending Busoga College Mwiri in Uganda. He said someone had just sent him a message saying that, being a very informed man, Kivejinja’s passing means a resourceful “library has been closed”.Kivejinja authored the book Uganda: The Crisis of Confidence, which is about Uganda’s political history.Balunywa, who is the principal of Makerere University Business School (MUBS), spoke of his uncle’s love for his country and his passion for pan-Africanism.The family extended their thanks to the President “for being a very good friend of Kivejinja” – a friendship that is understood to have spanned about four decades. They also thanked God for his life, the Government, the NRM and Mulago Hospital for “doing all possible” to try and save his life.After funeral prayers at Bubinga Primary School, Kivejinja will be laid to rest at his home in Buwabe village, Bugweri district.
