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Tributes have been paid for the former Bushenyi district speaker, Emmanuel Karasi, whose death on Saturday morning caused an outpouring of grief among residents and political leaders.

Karasi had retired from active politics by the time of his death at the age of 58.

He represented Central division of the district council from 2011 until 2016, during which he was elected the Bushenyi district speaker.

He was defeated by Richard Byaruhanga in the 2015 Bushenyi-Ishaka municipality mayoral seat during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.

Karasi's longtime friend, Rev. Ben Jackson Bitungirwe, confirmed the news of his death on Saturday.

His now-widowed wife, Rose Nambuya, told New Vision that Karasi had been battling diabetes and meningitis.

A resident of Nyabikyerere cell, Central division in Bushenyi Ishaka municipality, Karasi breathed his last at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted for some time, according to his family.

Former Bushenyi district Woman MP and currently the senior presidential advisor on public relations, Mary Karooro Okurut, paid tribute to the ex-district leader.

She described him as a hardworking servant of government who spearheaded the development of the district.

Jaffari Bassajjabalaba, the Bushenyi LC5 chairperson, told New Vision on the phone that the district council will conduct a special sitting in honour of Karasi.

"We are very shocked to hear about his death," he said.

"During his tenure as the district speaker, he [Karasi] would ensure monitoring of the district programmes such as road works, schools, and health centres, as well as chairing council meetings."