Parliament pays tribute to Binaisa

By Joyce Namutebi
and Cyprian Musoke

MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday paid glowing tribute to the late president, Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa, describing him as intelligent, a patriot, and one of the best attorney generals the country has ever had.

They also remembered him as a man with a great sense of humour, friendly to all and of simple personality.

Binaisa, who was president of Uganda from June 20, 1979 to May 13, 1980 died in his sleep at his home in Makindye, a Kampala suburb, last week. He will be buried today at Nateete Church.

The motion to pay tribute was moved by the Prime Minister and leader of government business in Parliament, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, and seconded by the leader of opposition, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo, and Mary Karooro Okurut.

Nsibambi moved that Parliament conveys its condolences to the bereaved family, friends and the people of Uganda on the loss of the former head of state and Uganda’s first attorney general.

He described the late president as an “exemplary, hardworking man and a man of the people.”

“When he (Binaisa) fled into exile in 1973, he practiced law in Britain and America. This is a very important tribute that political leaders should emulate. It solves the problem of redundancy and dependency for survival,” Nsibambi said.

He noted that when the political dust settled, President Yoweri Museveni encouraged Binaisa to return home, upon which he was given facilities of a former head of state in accordance with the Presidential Emoluments Act No. 21, 1998.

The premier said: “The NRM government has established a good culture, whereby former heads of state are encouraged to return home and are given protection.”

Prof. Ogenga Latigo (FDC)
Observing that he shared little with Binaisa in life, Latigo said even in death, the former presidente had caused controversy. He noted that there was a lot of debate on where he should be buried. He further pointed out that there will be a question of why the Buganda parliamentary caucus never brought a wreath. He described Binaisa as a great man.

Mary Karooro Okurut (NRM)
“He emerged from his political career as a patriot and up to this day, we hold him as such. He was no ordinary advocate to become attorney general. He became president without asking for it. He was very friendly to all. He got along well with all political parties. He was such a brilliant man with a simple personality. He has proved that it is possible for a former head of state to live in Uganda.”

Oliver Wonekha (NRM)
“He made significant contribution to constitutionalism in Uganda. As chancellor for Makerere University, he ensured that students got basic requirements such as food and allowances. He will be remembered for his intense patriotism and sense of humour.”

Sam Njuba (FDC)
“Binaisa was very instrumental in fighting for the liberation of this country. I would like to see that people like him are recognised and a monument erected for them.”

He commended Binaisa’s contribution to the law society at a very difficult time. “It was at this time that we lost the Chief Justice. He is misunderstood for the Pigeon Hole Constitution of 1966. He told me he wrote it in order to save this country,” he said.

Kassiano Wadri (FDC)
“Binaisa was a believer in the rule of law. He was very democratic. He gave an opportunity to people to express their innermost feelings.

There was a common saying; “No Lule No work”, but he let the people express their innermost feelings. There was no teargas, no Kiboko Squad.He strengthened the existing local government system (Mayumba kumi).”

Beti Kamya
“From his life, we learn that actions of one person can have far reaching repercussions on society.”

Freddie Ruhindi (Deputy Attorney General)
“One of the most experienced attorney generals Uganda has ever had, who served in the most turbulent times. He was a man of great wit, intellect and memory, because even in old age, he could remember events by hour, day and month.”

Ephraim Kamuntu (Finance state minister)
“He sent me to India and told Ugandans who were experiencing scarcity that when I come back, the city will be flooded with goods and merchandise. He was of a mind that believed in no limits.”

Tarsis Kabwegyere (Disaster preparedness minister)
“We were 18 people in State House who decided on changing the president. Binaisa did not solicit any vote or campaign to become president. We chose him because of his positive political record, but more so as a Buganda stabilising factor. When he gave his first press conference, unlike Lule who did it in Luganda, his was in Oxford English.”

Namirembe Bitamazire (Education minister)
She said she served Binaisa’s government in the same portfolio and lauded him for having started off the formative years of her career through guidance and support.

Hussein Kyanjo (JEEMA)
“Binaisa represented knowledgeable leaders without power. The military leaders like President Yoweri Museveni, then defence minister, and Army Chief-of-Staff Oyite Ojok tried to use his knowledge but he refused. It is no wonder that his idea of the umbrella was later hijacked by the Movement system.”

Nsubuga Mathias (DP)
“Binaisa’s reign started crumbling when he transferred Oyite Ojok and President Yoweri Museveni from their military portfolios. They were hesitant to obey their commander-in-chief’s orders.”

Daudi Migereko (Government Chief Whip)
“He distinguished himself by putting Uganda’s interest before those of Mengo when drafting the 1966 Constitution, despite the fact that the consequences might have turned out dire for him.”

Eriya Kategyaya (Minister for East African Integration)
“Binaisa belongs to the group that founded Uganda’s politics, driven by the need for a united Uganda. He had the courage to stand for what he believed in. We tried to warn him against tampering with the military establishment that had installed him. When he announced the transfer of chief-of-staff Oyite Ojok and defence minister Yoweri Museveni, I told him that he had entered a realm he was not familiar with.”

James Akena (UPC)
“Binaisa, in making the 1966 Constitution, found himself in a position where he had to implement a constitutional decision that was legally correct but politically wrong. There has been a lot of hearsay about this, hence the need to have official archives of our history.”

Cecilia Ogwal (Independent)
“He used to refer to me as an economist whenever we met, and advised me against drinking alcohol. He is one of the founder members of Uganda National Congress and UPC.

A lot of people think it was Obote, but Binaisa was the first chairperson of UPC in Buganda region. He believed in democracy and balanced the interests of Buganda and Uganda.”

Ben Wacha (Independent)
“1978/80 was a very difficult political time in Uganda. A person like Binaisa leading Uganda for that short time was miraculous. It had to be his light-headed approach to the politics of the day that helped him manage .