Kabaka Mutebi mourns Rabbi Mulondo

Jun 28, 2015

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi has described the death of Rabbi Ezekiel Mulondo as a great loss to Buganda

By Norman Katende      

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi has described the death of Rabbi Ezekiel  Mulondo as a great loss to Buganda.


In a condolence message delivered to Mulondo's family by Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga, the Kabaka recalled how Mulondo worked to see the return of Buganda kingdom.

Mulondo passed on last Tuesday aged 97 after he succumbed to old age related sickness. He was laid to rest at Namataba on Friday evening in a grave he built 20 years ago, after a requiem service that was held ibn the morning at St. Francis Basilica, a church he built.



Ekiriya Mulondo lays a wreath on her husband, Rabbi Mulondo's casket at St Francis Basilica on Friday morning.   PHOTO/Norman Katende

But though the family and friends for the first part managed  to keep calm and celebrate his life by doning flowing gowns and suits , they could not  hold back any longer and broke down as he was being carried to his resting place with some collapsing.

Many needed support to stand most especially the widow, Ekiriya Nampewo Mulondo, who saw a void with the man she has shared a 60-year marriage with. They waved to him as the casket was being lowered, a befitting farewell to the man who moulded them to become  what they are.



Retired bishops lay a wreath on Rabbi Ezekiel Mulondo's casket at St Francis Basilica on Friday morning. PHOTO/Norman Katende

"It is so sad and it is a big loss to Buganda.  We have lost someone who worked tirelessly to restore the kingdom. He hosted meetings and did so many things to ensure that the Buganda Kingdom was restored,"   Mayiga read part of the letter before handing it over to the widow Ekiriya Nampewo Mulondo.

 
Rabbi Mulondo's children eulogise him at during the requiem service at St Francis Basilica in Kyaliwajjala Friday morning. PHOTO/Norman Katende

"He has supported development and also helped many both in Buganda and beyond. May God be with you in this trying time."

The Katikkiro had, before reading the Kabaka's message, praised Mulondo for utilising his talent to touch many people's hearts.

"Everyone has a talent.  But that talent is not helpful unless we utilise it for the good of ourselves and others and this is what Mulondo did judging from all the reports we have got," he had said before reading the Kabaka's message.

The preacher of the day, retired archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyoyo recalled the times they met with Mulondo, and Ken Lukyamuzi among others to draw maps of how to return the kingdom saying that he did all with love.

"He was not selfish, he enjoyed making people happy and to him, that would satisfy his inner and troubled heart," said Nkoyoyo who added that the many testimonies from church leaders and the community could testify on that.

He also told revealed how Mulondo suffered after he gave Kabaka Sir Edward Mutesa a passport when he worked with the immigration department just because he had done what was right.

He advised the congregation to emulate him and prepare for retirement and the orphans and family elders to stop fighting for property and instead work together to ensure that his legacy lives on.

The service was attended by former premier Apollo Nsibambi, who summed up Mulondo's life as "a joyous, loving and generous man."

Former Buganda Katikkiro Mayanja Nkangi, Dan Mulika and Mulwanyamuli Ssemogerere were among the dignitaries that attended the requiem service.

The burial service was conducted by Mukono diocese Bishop Wilberforce Ssebagala, who was also one of the beneficiaries and praised him for being welcoming and having a warm heart.

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