Mirundi left great legacy, says Museveni

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President Yoweri Museveni has eulogised his former long-time serving press secretary, Joseph Tamale Mirundi, as a distinguished public servant who has left a great legacy.

Mirundi was the former presidential advisor on media and the spokesperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda for Buganda sub-region at the time of his death on August 13, 2024 aged 60.

He died of lung-related complications after a long illness at Kisubi Hospital on Entebbe Road.

“I commiserate with children and the entire family of the late Tamale Mirundi. In this hour of grief, I want you to know that we, the NRM [National Resistance Movement] shall stand with you in the absence of your family head and breadwinner,” the President, who is also the NRM national chairman, said, in a message read to the mourners by Vice President Jessica Alupo.

Vice President Jessica Alupo read president Museveni's message to the mourners. (File)

Hundreds gathered at the burial in Kaliisizo, Kyotera district, on Sunday, August 18.

(File)

(File)

The President implored the bereaved children to “take inspiration from your father’s great legacy”, whom he said could be equated to a priest within the ruling party.

“He departed from us after a distinguished service to his motherland,” the President told the family and the mourners.

Museveni said he received the news of Mirundi’s death with sadness and noted that the deceased was a renowned NRM ideologue.

“Mirundi had become a household name because of his truthful commentary on current affairs in the country and abroad. He was a self-styled and independent-minded public intellectual who attracted a big following, especially on the social media and mainstream media,” he said.

The President also said that Mirundi was “very articulate and passionate about issues of governance, fighting corruption, service delivery, fairness and equality, et cetera”.

“His analysis of national issues reflected objectivity and patriotism. Therefore, the country has lost a social philosopher and media guru. As for the NRM party, his death has robbed us of a dedicated cadre,” he noted.

Family requests

Alupo promised the family that she would inform the President about their requests to honour his legacy.

Vice President Jessica Alupo. (File)

This was after one Nantongo, told the mourners that their deceased father aspired to leave a lasting legacy through the Mirundi Plaza a commercial complex which he had planned near his home in kalisizo.

“When government begins tarmacking the Masaka-Rakai-Mutukula Road, about three kilometers of it should be extended this side of the [Kalagala] village in honour of Mirundi’s legacy,” the Vice President said.

The burial was also attended by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet and Lucy Nakyobe  and former trade minister Amelia Kyambadde who were Mirundi's senior collagues at State House. Microfinance state minister Haruna Kasolo Kyeyune and his children and youth affairs counterpart, Balaam Barugahara. were among the mourners.

Others included.