Karegeya's wife asks God to avenge husband's murder

By John Agaba

The widow of the slain Rwandan ex-spy chief, Patrick Karegeya, yesterday said her husband’s killers will one day know there is a price for doing evil.

“May the blood of my husband be the blanket and sheets of those that planned and paid to take his life,” said Leah Kabuto during the funeral service for the late Karegeya at St. Andrews Church of Uganda, Bukoto in Kampala Tuesday.

“May the blood of my husband cause them nightmare at breakfast, lunch and dinner so that they may one day realise that there is a price to pay for the evil committed,” she added.

Hundreds of mourners, including friends, relatives and family members, attended.

The message was delivered by Brenda Mugambwa, a close family member.

Karegeya was strangled in Johannesburg’s upmarket Sandton Michelangelo Hotel on New Year’s Eve. A rope and bloodied towel was found in the hotel room safe.

He was 53 years old.

The family, however, decided to bury Karegeya in South Africa after failing to get clearance to return his remains to his birthplace in Rwenjuru, Mbarara district.

Kabuto described her husband as a fighter for justice, who did not compromise on what he believed was right.

“Like any other couple, we had our highs and lows. We had our fights and disagreements, but I could never have wished for a better father for my children,” she said.

Presiding over the service, Rev. Steven Bamutungire wondered why Karegeya’s body couldn’t be returned home for burial.

“They feared Patrick’s body. What was it going to do? It was just a body. It could not hold a pistol, not wink or even smile. Why?” he asked.

“Everyone, however strong or mighty, you are just a breath,” Bamutungire added.

“It does not matter who you are. Whether you are a Tutsi, Hutu, Munyarwanda, Munyankole, FDC, NRM, we are all just a breath. Why should there be tension? Why should people kill one another? Look what is happening in South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, here in Uganda, in Congo. Why can’t we have peace?” he asked.

Justice Kenneth Kakuru, who described the deceased as his best friend since they met at the Makerere University’s faculty of law over 34 years ago, said Karegeya was always wearing a smile.

Karegeya will be buried in South Africa on Saturday.