George Kakoma to be accorded official burial

 

George Wilberforce Kakoma, the author of the National Anthem, will get an official burial, the Government has announced.

 

 Kakoma, 89, died peacefully in his bed on Easter Sunday at his in-laws’ residence in Kololo, a Kampala suburb.

 

Addressing journalists yesterday at the Media Centre in Kampala, information minister Mary Karooro Okurut said the Government would meet all the burial expenses as part of its recognition of the “great son” of the country.

 

“The Government pays its deeply felt condolences to the bereaved family. It is sad that he is not here to celebrate the golden jubilee, but his legacy will leave to be remembered,” Karooro said.

 

She explained that Kakoma would not be given a state burial but rather an official burial because he was not a former head of state. 

 

“A state burial is only accorded to fallen heads of state,” Karooro added.

 

She further noted that the Government was consulting with Kakoma’s family to find out what will be required for his burial to enable the Government come up with a clear budget. Karooro added that the Government was also arranging a special funeral service for Kakoma at Namirembe Cathedral this Friday at 10:00am before his burial on Saturday.