Gen. Aronda''s body arrives in Uganda

Sep 16, 2015

The body of Uganda’s internal affairs minister Gen. Aronda Nyakairima was flown in Wednesday from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

By Vision reporter

Silence engulfed Entebbe Airport for almost an hour after a plane carrying the body of Gen. Aronda Nyakairima arrived Wednesday.

Entebbe International Airport was quiet as relatives, ministers, senior UPDF and Police officers received the body of the fallen internal affairs minister.

Led by the former deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Ivan Koreta, they quietly marched and arranged to receive the body of one of Uganda’s top generals many have eulogized as a true hero and a gallant son of the land.

The casket containing the remains of a man who was at the helm of Uganda’s army for over 10 years was rolled out draped with a national flag.

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UPDF top brass wheel the casket through a guard of honour. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

National and East African Community anthems were played by the UPDF brass band.

It’s at this point that the widow Lindah, moved forward and bent over to embrace the coffin in a ‘never to see you again. Bye my darling’ gesture. Dressed in a floral blue and green dress, she broke down.

Wiping tears, she was comforted by relatives who held her by the shoulders as her two children followed with their aunt. To Lindah, visibly grief-stricken, this was not the usual way of welcoming back her husband.

An Emirates Airbus A320 carrying the remains of the former chief of defence forces (CDF) touched down at Entebbe Airport at about 1.30pm (EAT) local time.

The highly experienced army general, who became minister in 2013 after serving as CDF for a decade, passed away suddenly last Saturday on his way back to Uganda.

Earlier, Cabinet acknowledged and saluted the significant contribution made by Gen. Aronda to the country’s stability and the unity of the people of Uganda.

Many people, both in Uganda and beyond, have paid glowing tribute to the fallen general, including Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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Aronda's widow and family were at the airport. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

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Ministers and security chiefs also were at the airport. Black armbands were worn as a sign of mourning. Also, flags in government establishments are at half-mast. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

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The casket containing the remains of the army general was wheeled out of the plane draped with the national flag (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

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The UPDF band prepared to receive the remains of a gallant son of Uganda. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

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The casket was carefully carried into a funeral van by UPDF officials. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

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Bereaved family leaving the airport after Gen. Aronda's body is seen out of the plane and into a funeral van headed for Kampala. (Credit: Damalie Nabbosa)

Burial arrangements

Cabinet had earlier approved the burial arrangement plans as follows:

Today, the body arrives from Dubai

Thursday, the body lies in state in Parliament for members to pay tribute to Gen. Aronda

On Friday, a funeral service will be held at Kololo independence grounds

Burial will now take place on Sunday in Rukungiri

Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda will move the motion in Parliament Thursday to pay tribute to the fallen soldier. The motion will be seconded by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Wafula Oguttu.

Aronda has represented the army in Parliament since 1996. He was born on July 7, 1959.

Survived by a wife Linda Kahooza Aronda and two children, Aronda joined the National Resistance Army in 1982 after completing his degree in political science at Makerere University.

In 2003, he was appointed army commander, a position he held until 2013 when he was replaced by Gen. Katumba Wamala.

Aronda was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs on May 23, 2013.

One of his major achievements at the ministry has been the implementation of the national identity card project that had stalled for years.

In the course of his military career, he was inducted into the International Hall of Fame at the Lewis and Clark Centre in Kansas, US for attaining the highest rank in the Ugandan military.

Fare thee well General ...