Kagame, Gaddafi, Buyoya Condole Museveni

By Anne Mugisa Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi, presidents Pierre Buyoya of Burundi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame yesterday sent condolences to President Museveni and family on the death of his mother Esiteeri Kokundeka. Papal ambassador Archbishop Christopher Pierre, the Chinese ambassador, Zhang Xujiang, Congo rebel leaders Wamba dia Wamba in Dar-es-Salaam and Mbusa Nyamwisi also sent condolences. Other condolence messages came from Speaker Edward Ssekandi, clerk to the National Assembly Aeneas Tandekwire, Uganda’s ambassador to Cairo Ibrahim Mukiibi, to Italy Vincent Kirabokyamaria and Francis Butagira, High Commissioner to Kenya. Meanwhile, hundreds of mourners including diplomats and politicians thronged the State House in Nakasero, Kampala, to console the family and sign the condolence book. Dignitaries who signed the book included Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, deputy Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Movement vice-chairman Moses Kigongo, Cabinet ministers and diplomats. Kampala Mayor John Ssebaana Kizito and business tycoons James Mulwana and Gordon Wavamunno also signed the book. Many mourners donated cash to the bereaved family. The 84-year-old Kokundeka died of heart failure on Wednesday afternoon at the Kampala International Hospital where she had been admitted the previous Thursday in critical condition. The body was transported to Rwakitura yesterday where the burial takes place today at 2:00pm. It will be preceded by a funeral service at Rushere Church of Uganda. The venue of the service had first been put at Nshweere Church of Uganda in Rwakitura. A statement from the Movement Secretariat signed by Kigongo said, “The Movement and the country at large has no doubt lost a courageous strugglist. “I personally recall her personal and physical support to the NRA bush war when, despite her advanced age, she joined us in the bush in 1982. This unusual act of hers definitely boosted the NRA fighters’ morale and gave us more courage.” Jacob Asiimwe, Kigongo’s special assistant, said, “I personally vividly recall Mzee Esiteri’s encouraging words to us during her stay with us in Luweero during the bush war. She was a courageous strugglist who indeed stood by our side during difficult moments. Makerere University lecturer Steven Kaliba also sent condolences. Other messages came from the Indian community here, All Saints Cathedral, the Pan African Movement, The Monitor Publications, South Africa’s Kramer Group of Companies, Boda Boda group and individuals. Salim Saleh described his mother as determined. Ends