Who will bury me?, laments Aronda's aunt

By David Lumu & Caleb Bahikaho

It is impossible to predict the dark clouds of death, but for Jovia Barongo, 90, it was almost certain that Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, the fallen internal affairs minister, would bury her.

Since the passing on of Aronda on Saturday, his aunt Barongo has not eaten anything. She cannot even talk or move out of her bedroom.

The demise of her nephew, who died at the age of 56, has taken her aback.

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni has said Aronda's death is a big loss to the nation, and that he was unaware that the former chief of defence forces (CDF) was ill.

For some years since Aronda’s father Yeremia Nyakairima passed on in 2006, the fallen minister has been looking after the family, including Barongo who stays at his home in Nyakiju village, Bugyera parish, Buyanja sub-county in Rukungiri district.

 “My aunt knew that Aronda would bury her since she is getting old, but after she heard the sad news, she has not talked to anyone," said Jovanis Kamashanyu, Aronda’s cousin.

Apart from a group of Rukungiri prison inmates clearing the family graveyard, a sombre mood hang over the expansive Aronda compound, as several mourners gathered to comfort the family.

On Sunday, a group of old women sat at Barongo’s side to comfort her as she struggled to deal with the shockwaves that came with the demise of her beloved nephew.

Relatives, neighbours and friends said Aronda was a caring man.
 

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Residents gather at Aronda’s home in Rukungiri on Saturday

Kamashanyu said Aronda was taking care of her four children. Yostus Rugonde, another cousin, said Aronda was the sixth child in the family of nine. He said until Saturday, Aronda and his sister were the only living siblings.

“Aronda has only two children — Samuel Agaba Aronda and Samantha Aronda. Although he did not have many children, he was looking after many children who are close to 100 of his relatives and other people,” Rugonde said.

Both Aronda and his father died in September. Aronda died on September 12, 2015, while his father died on September 11, 2006.

'Gone when needed most'

Canon Justus Rwabugaire, an elder in Nyakiju village, said Aronda grew up as a God-fearing boy, who respected all the people regardless of their age. He said the country has lost a hardworking parent.

Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the information minister, who was among hundreds of mourners at Aronda’s home village, said the country has lost a strong pillar that cannot be replaced soon.

Muhwezi also said he grew up with Aronda in the valleys of Rukungiri.

“As a Christian, I know we are all taking the same route my comrade has taken, but it is a pity that he has gone when the country needs him the most,” Muhwezi said.

Muslims in Rwabigangura village mourned Aronda, describing his contribution towards the construction of a mosque in the area as a sign that he treated every religion with respect.