Dan Hyuha has been laid to rest

By Moses Nampala

The late Daniel Hyuha, a renowned educationist who died on December 9, 2014 has been laid to rest at his home in Kachonga, Mazimasa in Butaleja district.

He was buried with a brand new football in his casket as per his wish because of his love for the game of soccer.

Hyuha 68 was the husband of the NRM party deputy secretary general Dorothy Hyuha, who told the mourners at the funeral ceremony at Bukedi College Kachonga ground that it was her husband’s wish to be buried with a ball.

She said this is owing to an incident in which he participated in a village Christmas soccer tournament in 1989 and had serious fractures on the knee of his right leg inflicted by a player of the team he was competing with. The leg was amputated.

“The goal keeper of the opponent team confronted Hyuha as he was about to score a goal and inflicted fractures on his knee. When he was rushed to Mbale hospital, orthopedic experts recommend that his leg be amputated,” said Dorothy.

She described him as a selfless and loving husband who lured her to abandon her teaching profession and join politics.

President Yoweri Museveni in a condolence message read by the Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, described the late Hyuha as a resourceful and committed NRM mobiliser whose skills will be greatly missed by both the party and the people of Butaleja.

He said apart from being an exceptional educationist, Hyuha was a humble and principled man who upheld virtues over trivialities and his career as an educationist will forever be celebrated.

Museveni, who contributed sh5m towards the burial expenses, commended Hyuha for being a big inspiration towards his wife’s political career and success that has enabled her serve the nation in different capacities.

The NRM national vice chairperson Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo who also presented sh5m contribution for the funeral expenses on behalf of the party leadership described the late Hyuha as a great pillar in the education sector in Uganda.

Kigongo, however, lashed out at politicians who use funeral ceremonies for political campaigns instead of talking about the good things that the people should be emulate for.

The former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi said, “I have known Dan as the jolliest, knowledgeable educationist and a renowned author.”

In his summon, the Bukedi diocese Bishop emeritus Dr. Nicodemus Okille described Hyuha as an intellectual and peace loving elder  and challenged the people of Butaleja and Uganda as a whole to avoid hatred, but instead forgive those who wrong them.

Hyuha rose from a modest background to prominence serving as a teacher, a tutor, headteacher and by the time of his death, he was the chairperson of Busitema University council.