Kakoma laid to rest in Wakiso

By Vision reporter

Ugandan national anthem composer Prof. George Wilberforce Kakoma was Saturday afternoon laid to rest at his home in Wakiso district.

The fallen Ugandan icon was accorded a state burial which was attended by several high-profile personalities, among a mammoth gathering of other mourners.

A three-gun salute by the Uganda Police was part of the burial ceremony of a man who has been described by many as a humble man who was not only passionate about his country as a whole, but also loved everyone around him.

The Uganda Police band also played all the three stanzas of Uganda's anthem. This follows a directive by the President that from now on, all the stanzas of the national anthem be sung at all occassions in honour of the late Kakoma.

President Museveni, the chief mourner, was represented by his vice, Prof. Edward Sekandi.

In his condolence message read by Sekandi, Museveni called upon all Ugandans to pay closer attention to the various messages imprinted in the verses of the national anthem.

“He [Kakoma] gave our country her musical identity by composing the anthem,” read the message, further urging Ugandans to emulate the creativity of the fallen hero.

The burial ceremony started with a funeral service at his home.

The Government offered the bereaved family of the late Kakoma sh10m as condolences. In an earlier funeral service held at St.Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe on Friday, the widow, Maria Tereza Kakoma thanked the Government for taking care of the hospital bills for Kakoma.

The Ugandan hero died last week on Saturday, aged 89 at his Kololo residence after a year-long illness.