Hundreds send off Kaaya Kavuma

Thousands of mourners thronged Jjungo-Bukuya village in Wakiso district during a send-off of Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma, a former Buganda deputy premier.

Among the mourners was the vice president Edward Sekandi who, on behalf of President Museveni, eulogised the late as one of the greatest patriots Uganda has ever had. "My relationship with Kaaya Kavuma dates back in our bush days when we used to meet in Nairobi," read in part, the president's speech which was delivered by Sekandi.

The president also described the late Kaaya as a resourceful person with a sharp mind; and "a fearlessly incorruptible man" who never tired his quest to foster for peace in the country. "Although his death leaves a huge vacuum, he leaves a legacy of hard work which should be emulated by young Ugandans," added the president.

During the same requiem mass which was held at St. Steven's church at Buwaya on Tuesday, Buganda premier Charles Peter Mayiga described the late Kaaya as a selfless man who extended a hand to people outside his family circles. 

"Most of these Members of Parliament you're seeing here (mentioning names), were nurtured by Kaaya Kavuma," noted Mayiga who implored the late's children to write their father's biography.

Several other people who eulogised Kaaya included; Kawooya Mwebe who succeeded the late as the managing director for Mengo-based radio station, Wakiso district chairperson Matia Lwanga, among several other relatives. Prince David Wasajja echoed Kabaka's message as read the previous day at Namirembe Cathedral.

After the church service which was led by Rev. Alex Kasirye who also happened to be a brother to the late, Kaaya's body was laid at ancestral grounds at Jjungo-Bukuya village in Wakiso district. Several members of parliament, politicians, clergy, officials from Tooro and Buganda kingdoms among others, attended Kaaya's final send-off.

Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma was born on October 1937 before attending Mengo junior school and  Busoga college Mwiri for his primary and advanced education respectively. 

He was later admitted to Makerere University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Kaaya then worked in different capacities at the Uganda coffee marketing board in 1965. He was later appointed the general manager for British commodities company in 1974 until he relocated to Uganda in 1992.

Upon restoration of Buganda kingship, Kaaya served as the deputy premier and also a state minister for finance and minister of lands for the Kingdom among other positions. He's reported to have died of heart failure on July 27, at the age of 81 years.