Former Somali Prime Minister mourns Gen. Aronda

By Godfrey Kimono                                                                   

Former Somalia Prime Minister Farmajo Mohamed has expressed sincere condolences to the family and people of Uganda for the loss of Gen. Aronda Nyakairima who died last Saturday in Dubai.

Farmajo who has been in Uganda to attend the "empango" cultural celebrations by Toro Kingdom had also scheduled a meeting with General Aronda this week before getting the news that he had died. 

"It was shocking to hear that someone I had an appointment with in Uganda is dead." Farmajo said.

He added that not only has the family lost a father and parent but Uganda, and Africa in general, has lost a leader and a peace loving person who struggled to bring peace in the region.

"Death has robbed a friend and pan Africanist who was pivotal in encouraging Somalis for peace and fight against al-shabab militants," Farmajo lamented. 

He said that Gen. Aronda came up with the vision of one force against the Asian foreign ideology to destroy Africa and as a true African, his work is visible.

"His experience as the National Resistance Army gorilla coupled with a lot of wisdom on how to organise and fight rebels played a key role in ushering peace in Somalia" he said.
 
Farmajo said that he had to step aside as Prime Minister for the sake of peace in Somalia on advise of President Museveni and Gen. Aronda who was key as a facilitator in the agreement between Somali leaders.

Somalia had suffered war and militant oppression for over 20 years after the fall of a recognised government in the early 1990's.  

"Peace loving Somalis will miss Gen. Aronda who with the permission of President always gave advise on the security and even practically participated by visiting and supervising the AMISOM soldiers to Somalia.

He praised the fallen Army General for being loyal and delivering the Presidents directive without fear or favour that saw the strengthening the Somalia National Forces.

According the autopsy report released by government on Thursday afternoon, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima died of "acute heart failure due to extensive and irreversible blockade of the heart blood vessel"

According to the findings conducted at Mulago hospital, the pathologists found Aronda's body with "red eyes due to reduced blood flow back to the heart. The heart was also found to be "enlarged" and "an abnormal fat layer surrounding the blood vessels"

Dr Moses Byaruhanga said "the excessive fat on top of the heart was compressing the vessel" causing exhaustion and difficulty in breathing.

Gen. Aronda will be buried at his ancestral home in Rukjungiri in South Western Uganda on Sunday.