Rwakasisi's homecoming in Bushenyi
Apr 11, 2009
FORMER minister Chris Rwakasisi has finally stepped foot in his country home, nearly three months after he was pardoned and released from Luzira prison, where he had been on death row for 24 years.
By Chris Ahimbisibwe
FORMER minister Chris Rwakasisi has finally stepped foot in his country home, nearly three months after he was pardoned and released from Luzira prison, where he had been on death row for 24 years.
Rwakasisi went to attend the funeral of Mugabe Kaijuka, son of former energy minister Richard Kaijuka, at Rwambutura, Kagango sub-county, Bushenyi district. It was his first public appearance ever since he was released on January 20 on presidential pardon.
When Rwakasisi’s presence was announced at the funeral, most mourners stood up and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the man who has been living in Kampala since his release..
He was given a front seat in the same tent as Kizza Besigye, FDC president; Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, Bank of Uganda Governor; Amanya Mushega, former East African Community Secretary General; Yona Kanyomozi, a UPC stalwart and Salamu Musumba, an outspoken FDC stalwart.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s representative to the UN and Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, state minister for planning were in a separate tent with Kaijuka’s family.
Rwakasisi, who looked energetic and jolly, attracted massive attention as he walked with his wife hand in hand to lay the wreath. One mourner remarked: “It is as if the man has never gone to jail. He looks so healthy.â€
Before going to the funeral Rwakasisi, who travelled from Kampala that morning, made a stop-over at his country home near Kabwohe on the Mbarara-Bushenyi highway. He met his father and relatives. After the funeral, he left for Kampala.
Rwakasisi’s return ends months of speculation over his whereabouts and whether he would ever go back to his home village. Weeks after release, a homecoming party was cancelled following concerns about his security.
Rwakasisi was sentenced to death on June 30, 1988 after being found guilty of six counts of kidnap charges, committed while a minister during the Obote II regime.
FORMER minister Chris Rwakasisi has finally stepped foot in his country home, nearly three months after he was pardoned and released from Luzira prison, where he had been on death row for 24 years.
Rwakasisi went to attend the funeral of Mugabe Kaijuka, son of former energy minister Richard Kaijuka, at Rwambutura, Kagango sub-county, Bushenyi district. It was his first public appearance ever since he was released on January 20 on presidential pardon.
When Rwakasisi’s presence was announced at the funeral, most mourners stood up and craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the man who has been living in Kampala since his release..
He was given a front seat in the same tent as Kizza Besigye, FDC president; Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile, Bank of Uganda Governor; Amanya Mushega, former East African Community Secretary General; Yona Kanyomozi, a UPC stalwart and Salamu Musumba, an outspoken FDC stalwart.
Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s representative to the UN and Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, state minister for planning were in a separate tent with Kaijuka’s family.
Rwakasisi, who looked energetic and jolly, attracted massive attention as he walked with his wife hand in hand to lay the wreath. One mourner remarked: “It is as if the man has never gone to jail. He looks so healthy.â€
Before going to the funeral Rwakasisi, who travelled from Kampala that morning, made a stop-over at his country home near Kabwohe on the Mbarara-Bushenyi highway. He met his father and relatives. After the funeral, he left for Kampala.
Rwakasisi’s return ends months of speculation over his whereabouts and whether he would ever go back to his home village. Weeks after release, a homecoming party was cancelled following concerns about his security.
Rwakasisi was sentenced to death on June 30, 1988 after being found guilty of six counts of kidnap charges, committed while a minister during the Obote II regime.