Parliament honours Maj. Rurangaranga

PIC: Deputy speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah lays a wreath on the Uganda flag-draped coffin of the late Rurangaranga. (Photo credit: Parliament of Uganda)

TRIBUTE | EDWARD RURANGARANGA

KAMPALA - Parliament had a special sitting to honour fallen Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party former national chairman Rtd. Maj. Edward Rurangaranga on Thursday.

MPs paid glowing tributes to the late UPC stalwart, who died Monday night at his home in Sheema district.

They remembered him as a mentor, nationalist and father.

Rurangaranga, who had a vast political career, including serving as minister in Dr. Milton Apolo Obote's government as well as a legislator, will be buried on Saturday in his native Sheema.

Earlier on Thursday, his body was driven to parliament and was received by deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah.

It lay in state as MPs paid their respects to the former politician ahead of the afternoon special sitting.

Later, Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda moved the motion to honour Rurangaranga. Former First Lady and UPC president Miria Obote attended the session.

The Prime Minister @RuhakanaR moved the motion to honour the late Maj Rurangaranga #SpecialSitting pic.twitter.com/iCeyo3pN6b

— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) August 3, 2017

Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal spoke of how Rurangaranga promoted education in Bushenyi on top of his role in the health sector. As such, she called on government to renovate Kitagata Hospital in honour of the former minister.

Ajuri County MP Denis Hamson Obua described Rurangaranga as "a great man" and urged his fellow politicians to learn from the good side of the UPC, a party to which the fallen major dedicated much of his life.

FUNERAL PROGRAMME

This is the progamme for sending off Rurangaranga put together by a Wednesday meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister:

Wednesday 2: Body at Uganda House (2pm)

Thursday 3: Body lies in State in Parliament for Parliament to pay tribute (10am to 5pm)

Friday 4: Funeral Service at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero (9am to 12 noon)

Friday 4: Body taken to Kitagata, Sheema (afternoon)

Saturday 5: Burial at his home in Kitagata, Sheema (12 noon)

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