I wanted my son to succeed me - VP
Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya was grooming his son Brian to take over political leadership in his constituency. Brian died on Sunday in a car accident.
By Francis Kagolo and Charles Ariko
Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya was grooming his son Brian to take over political leadership in his constituency. Brian died on Sunday in a car accident.
“Brian has been very well behaved and honest. I had thought he would replace me. But he has died; he is leaving me here. I am very sad,†Bukenya said during a requiem mass at Rubaga Cathedral yesterday afternoon.
Bukenya, who looked devastated, said Brian served as a strong link between him and his constituents in Busiro South, Wakiso district. Brian would always calm down villagers who complained that he took long to visit them, Bukenya narrated.
“He has died very young with a lot of our hopes in him. He is the only one who could come and scratch my back if it was itching. I had a lot of trust in him. But life has to continue.â€
Bukenya said after Brian graduated in law, he showed him one area in which the family had not served—the military.
He said he persuaded Brian to join the army.
“Dad, I am joining the UPDF if only it could add to the contribution of our love to Uganda,†the weeping Bukenya quoted his son as saying.
“I would be proud to see my son in a UPDF uniform, but he has gone,†Bukenya lamented as he sobbed.
Brian, a lawyer who worked with the court martial, died at Mulago Hospital following a motor accident on Saturday at Bira trading centre, 13km from Kampala.
Brian was travelling in a double-cabin pickup truck from Kabamba to Kampala with Pte. Ronald Mukalazi, Warrant Officer Charles Baliddawa, Emmanuel Musanza and Dennis Oketwong.
The 26-year-old, who is survived by a fianceé and a three-month-old baby, was set to graduate as a cadet officer at Kabamba Military School next month.
The mourners at the cathedral included Bukenya’s mother, Francesca Nabulo.
Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who led the service, warned drivers against speeding. “Those who kill others will also one time die. Reckless driving must stop.â€
President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech delivered by Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, said Brian’s death cost the nation a strong patriot.
“The nation mourns a professional, whose skills were good for developing the country. This is a sad and tragic loss. Brian had a lot to live for. He had chosen the military profession which many graduates shun,†Museveni said.
On his part, Nsibambi hailed Bukenya for educating all his children and providing millions of Ugandans with jobs through the upland rice project.
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, in a speech, said Brian had the potential to cause change and that his death was a loss to the nation.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Guti, the commandant of Kabamba military school where Brian has been training since February, said he was a bright and diligent officer. Guti said Brian was expected to join Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK for further training. The deceased will be laid to rest at 2:00pm today at Bukenya’s home at Kakiri.
Meanwhile, the Police has arrested the driver of the ill-fated vehicle. Nathan Lwanga was picked up at Kibuli in Kampala from his brother’s home where he had taken refuge following the accident.
Lwanga was yesterday morning paraded before journalists at the Central Police Station in Kampala before he was taken to Mulago Hospital for treatment.
Henry Kalulu, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman, said: “We have commenced investigations into the accident. Since we have the driver, we believe we will get more information.â€
He said investigations show the vehicle was speeding before it overturned. He said apart from Ronald Mukalazi, the rest of the accident victims had been discharged from Mulago Hospital.
Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya was grooming his son Brian to take over political leadership in his constituency. Brian died on Sunday in a car accident.
“Brian has been very well behaved and honest. I had thought he would replace me. But he has died; he is leaving me here. I am very sad,†Bukenya said during a requiem mass at Rubaga Cathedral yesterday afternoon.
Bukenya, who looked devastated, said Brian served as a strong link between him and his constituents in Busiro South, Wakiso district. Brian would always calm down villagers who complained that he took long to visit them, Bukenya narrated.
“He has died very young with a lot of our hopes in him. He is the only one who could come and scratch my back if it was itching. I had a lot of trust in him. But life has to continue.â€
Bukenya said after Brian graduated in law, he showed him one area in which the family had not served—the military.
He said he persuaded Brian to join the army.
“Dad, I am joining the UPDF if only it could add to the contribution of our love to Uganda,†the weeping Bukenya quoted his son as saying.
“I would be proud to see my son in a UPDF uniform, but he has gone,†Bukenya lamented as he sobbed.
Brian, a lawyer who worked with the court martial, died at Mulago Hospital following a motor accident on Saturday at Bira trading centre, 13km from Kampala.
Brian was travelling in a double-cabin pickup truck from Kabamba to Kampala with Pte. Ronald Mukalazi, Warrant Officer Charles Baliddawa, Emmanuel Musanza and Dennis Oketwong.
The 26-year-old, who is survived by a fianceé and a three-month-old baby, was set to graduate as a cadet officer at Kabamba Military School next month.
The mourners at the cathedral included Bukenya’s mother, Francesca Nabulo.
Archbishop Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, who led the service, warned drivers against speeding. “Those who kill others will also one time die. Reckless driving must stop.â€
President Yoweri Museveni, in a speech delivered by Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, said Brian’s death cost the nation a strong patriot.
“The nation mourns a professional, whose skills were good for developing the country. This is a sad and tragic loss. Brian had a lot to live for. He had chosen the military profession which many graduates shun,†Museveni said.
On his part, Nsibambi hailed Bukenya for educating all his children and providing millions of Ugandans with jobs through the upland rice project.
Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, in a speech, said Brian had the potential to cause change and that his death was a loss to the nation.
Maj. Gen. Andrew Guti, the commandant of Kabamba military school where Brian has been training since February, said he was a bright and diligent officer. Guti said Brian was expected to join Sandhurst Military Academy in the UK for further training. The deceased will be laid to rest at 2:00pm today at Bukenya’s home at Kakiri.
Meanwhile, the Police has arrested the driver of the ill-fated vehicle. Nathan Lwanga was picked up at Kibuli in Kampala from his brother’s home where he had taken refuge following the accident.
Lwanga was yesterday morning paraded before journalists at the Central Police Station in Kampala before he was taken to Mulago Hospital for treatment.
Henry Kalulu, the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman, said: “We have commenced investigations into the accident. Since we have the driver, we believe we will get more information.â€
He said investigations show the vehicle was speeding before it overturned. He said apart from Ronald Mukalazi, the rest of the accident victims had been discharged from Mulago Hospital.