As the casket containing the body of gallant National Resistance Army/Movement fighter Col. Jack Mucunguzi lay in front of the pulpit at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero in Kampala on Tuesday, the Very Rev. Can. Dr. Rebecca Margaret Nyegenye, preached repentance.

Nyegenye, who is also the Provost of the cathedral, told the dignitaries-filled congregation that Mucunguzi’s death should be a reminder that “we” are all in the departure lounge.

Rev.Dr.Rebecca Nyegenye preaching

“We must prepare for death the same way we prepare for a trip. We live for the Lord and when we die, we die in the Lord,” she said while drawing Biblical lessons from the gospel according to St Paul.

Mucunguzi, 66, was pronounced dead at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala on Sunday. The family confirmed that the bush war combatant had succumbed to cancer of the liver.

Miriam Kakunda Tumukunde eulogising the late Mucunguzi.

Nyegenye said: “Friends as we gather together today, we need to hear the sound and prepare our way. When you live, it’s about Jesus and when we die it’s about Jesus. My friends, that is the reality, you have accountability to give to the Lord and there is eternal life and we have no power over life,” she said.

Portrait of the late Col. Jack Mucunguzi

The clergy further preached; “When we die in Christ, we rest in the Lord. Therefore, thinking about accountability after death is important because we will all face the judgment seat, she added.

The prelate reminded the congregation that whatever “we” struggle for remains here on earth and that “we” go with nothing to God, which points to the necessity of living in the Lord.

The children of the Late Jack Buhuuku Mucunguzi eulogising their father

She expressed concern over people who are walking towards death steadily due to alcohol abuse.

The service was graced by ministers, Jim Muhwezi (security), Gen. Kahinde Otaffire (internal affairs), Gen. David Muhoozi (state, internal affairs) and David Bahati (trade, sate). Other dignitaries were  former foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa, former works minister Eng. John Nasasira, former security minister Gen.Henry Tumukunde, military generals led by Sam Kavuma, judiciary officials, diplomats, family members, friends and business associates of Col.Mucunguzi.

L-R:Kahinda Otafire, Sam Kuteesa and John Nasasira attending the service.

A wreath-laying ceremony was opened with the widow, followed by the children, among others. The Government's wreath was laid by Muhwezi.

The widow Harriet Mucunguzi laying a wreath.

Liberator of country and family

Carol Rukari, the sister of the deceased, said: “Jack participated in the liberation struggle, while he liberated the country, he also liberated our family. He pulled us his siblings in different ways, Jack held our hands. He was a man of conviction who loved and hated with passion".

Jim Muhwezi laying a wreath

“He loved his nucleolus family and his siblings, he treated them equally,” she added before thanking God for the life of her brother and the support extended by the President, friends and the medical doctors during the trying moment.

The children of the late Jack Buhuuku Mucunguzi laying a wreath

Great fighter

Miriam Kankunda Tumukunde, Mucunguzi’s maternal cousin, described him as a great fighter who hailed from a clan of great fighters, the Basano clan.

She described him as someone who loved children without boundaries but was selective when it came to adults.

Sam Kuteesa laying a wreath

“In emulation of Jack, let us open up to people, especially the vulnerable. Jack opened up the doors of his house to many people,” she said.

The children of Mucunguzi used the occasion to celebrate his extreme parental love which they will miss so much.

Henry Tumukunde laying a wreath

“He would drop all of us at school every morning at 6:00am. He was always a present father. He loved his children so much, we played chess with him and he would outmatch us because he was a great strategist. It is just unbelievable that he is not here, but he wants us to keep strong,” the children said.

Rev. Can. Dr. Rebecca Margaret Nyegenye, preached repentance.

Intelligent and good person

Harriet Mucunguzi, the deceased’s wife, said that she met her husband in Nairobi in 1985 and connected intellectually.

Minister Kahinda Otafire

“He was intelligent and a good person, we discussed many things from war to liberation. We got married in 1987 and we had four biological children, but at one point we had over 15 people in the home. But Jack instructed me to feed them well because he liked to feed well,” she said.

She described him as a very generous, loving and caring person. “He was a defender and pragmatist, who looked at things the way they are,” she said.

Though not so prayerful, she said, her husband knew and served God and that she was sure God had received his soul.

James Tumusiime eulogising the late Jack Mucunguzi.

She thanked President Yoweri Museveni who ordered that they be granted all the necessary support when he learnt that Mucunguzi was sick. This was before she concluded with a poem dedicated to his husband.

A mourner comforting the widow after the funeral service

Great friend

Muhwezi, who represented the President and the Government, described Mucunguzi as a close friend.

“Jack was a patriot, Jack was a freedom fighter, he took security seriously. He left the school at an early age to join the liberation struggle. He left the lucrative job in the army to join the liberation struggle with all involved risks,” he said.

He said Mucunguzi utilised his short life well among others the heroic fight to liberate his country. 

“He has had a wife and produced very good children and he was a clever man,” he said. 

He asked Ugandans to emulate Mucunguzi, who served his country with much dedication and diligence.

Jim Muhwezi and David Bahati during the funeral service of Jack Buhuuku Mucunguzi at All Saints Church