Harriet Kisakye burial for Monday

By Eddie Ssejjoba      

Local female musician Harriet Kisakye who died at the International Hospital Kampala (IHK) on Saturday is to be buried at Bunamwaya Catholic Church on Monday.

Kisakye, 34, the founder of Riders Band passed away at about 5.00pm at the Namuwongo-based IHK where she had been transferred from Mulago Referral Hospital on Thursday on request from former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President, Col. Kizza Besigye.

Besigye had been briefed by her doctors at Mulago that she had liver, kidney and lung complications and that the organs were not functioning well.

Kisakye with Besigye during the 2011 presidential campaigns

Kisakye has been a strong supporter of FDC and always performed at Dr. Besigye's rallies during the 2011 presidential campaigns.

Sources say Kisakye had hinted on plans to stand for the Wakiso District woman MP seat on the FDC ticket in the 2016 parliamentary elections.

Kisakye with Besigye during the 2011 presidential campaigns

Her body was Saturday night transferred from IHK to Kayunga in Wakiso district at the home of her step father, Selestian Mukubabyasi where vigil and mass were organized. She grew up at this home after her father died when she was young.

Her brother, Matia Mulumba Lyazi told New Vision that Kisakye would be buried at Bunamwaya Church at 4.00pm on Monday.

The body will first be taken to the National Theatre on Sunday where artists and fans will pay their respects.

Lyazi said Kisakye is survived by two sons but refused to comment about their father, saying he did not want to remember 'certain things'.

He said Kisakye's dying wish was to be buried at Bunamwaya Church where she had been a strong member and one of those who have been contributing to its completion.

The singer was famous for hits like Gyenvudde tebibadde birungi, Kandahar and Kinigeria.

Her close friends and fellow artists; Goretti Mpologoma and Mathias Walukagga, Irene Namubiru, Desire Luzinda, Stabua Nattoolo among others went to see her at Mulago, but sources said she had been unwell for some time complaining of a septic wound on her fore arm.

Mpologoma said Kisakye had been sick for about three months but last appeared in public on
March 20 at a show in  Kalangala but failed to perform because she was weak and feeling unwell.