Buganda mourns former Lukiiko speaker

Buganda Kingdom has mourned the passing on of the former speaker of the Lukiiko (Parliament), Hajji Musa Kaddu Sserunkuuma who on Tuesday morning succumbed to brain cancer. 
  
The first deputy Katikkiro, Hajj Twaha Kawaase on Tuesday told journalists at Bulange that Hajj Sserunkuuma (83), who assumed office in a cabinet reshuffle of 2008 and stayed on until 2013, died at 5:00am at Platinum Hospital in Kampala after undergoing treatment for sometime, both in Uganda and India.  

"The Kingdom announces the passing on of our beloved and dear former Speaker, Hajj Kaddu Sserunkuuma," Hajj Kawaase said, adding that a committee led by the current speaker, Patrick Mugumbule was working with the family to arrange prayers, which were held at Kibuli Mosque and later the body was transported for burial at his ancestral home in Nsozi-bbiri, Kiyemba in Butambala district.

His uncle, a former Speaker of the same assembly, the late Sheikh Ali Kulumba passed on at the age of 90 in June 2004, after he collapsed in his seat while attending Lukiiko proceedings at Bulange, Mengo and died 30 minutes later. 

To assume office, Hajj Sserunkuuma replaced Hajj Sulaiman Lubega Kaddunabbi who died. He will be remembered for having steered the ‘charged' Lukiiko during the famous Buganda riots of 2009 after the then Katikkiro, Eng. JB Walusimbi was blocked by the police and army from visiting the controversial Bugerere County in Kayunga district.

The Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi II was also blocked from visiting the county, which sparked off widespread riots in the kingdom.

Born to Hajj Adam Sserunkuuma and Hajat Aisha Nabwami, the late speaker grew up in the home of Buganda Prince, the late Badru Kakungulu, where he served the Muslim community in different capacities.

Hajj Kawaase said the late speaker was a sports administrator and was ‘a key pillar in the initial stages of the formulation of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA). He was also a soccer referee for some time and was one of the early promoters of Express FC.

Hajj Sserunkuuma also loved traditional wrestling and was one of the officials from Mengo who supported ‘Ekigwo Ggumbya' (wrestling), which was promoted all over Buganda kingdom by Bukedde Radio, newspaper and TV, New Vision sister platforms.  

He was also a trained teacher and professional journalist, who studied law as well.

He was also known to be moralist who used to condemn acts of women dressing in short dresses and youth smoking marijuana.

At one time he asked the Government to screen people who apply for firearms in order to cub the then increasing incidents of crime.

He authored a book, "Wali Luddawa", which was launched in 2013 majorly talking about his perspective of Uganda since Independence.

His daughter, Aisha Nabwami Sserunjogi described her father as caring and encouraged his daughters to attain education. She said her father loved sports so much that he passed on the love to all his siblings.