Winnie Byanyima eulogises DP's Kashaija

EMMANUEL KASHAIJA | DP | CELEBRATING LIFE

Former Democratic Party (DP) chairperson Emmanuel Kashaija was laid to rest amidst political drama and a downpour.

He was buried at his home in Nyakahanga village, Nyakayojo division in Mbarara city by hundreds of mourners.

Eng. Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS; Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party (DP) president and politicians from different parties praised Kashaija for his contribution towards the development and transformation of the country.

Byanyima said Kashaija was a patriotic citizen and a leader with "political maturity".

She challenged Kashaija's children, politicians and friends to protect his legacy if they want to succeed in this country politically, socially and economically.

"Bonnie Kiconco Kashaija, thanks for bringing the yellow flag in our DP family. DP stands for truth and justice, which is not in the National Resistance Movement (NRM). So, I beg you to follow the principles of DP. Always speak the truth and never lie," Byanyima told Kiconco, the Mbarara city flag-bearer for NRM.

Lambert Bainomugisha, the Archbishop of Mbarara Archdiocese, urged people to desist from corruption, sectarianism and self-centredness which compromise the code of conduct for leadership.

"At 84 years, I learnt much from Kashaija when it comes to family. He was a strong man and this helped him to raise his 11 children responsibly," Bainomugisha said.   

President Yoweri Museveni was represented by the state minister for animal industry, Lt Col Bright Rwamirama.

He said: "It is true DP came to fight for truth and justice, but failed. And NRM started from where DP failed. We brought democracy for every Ugandan, that is why every citizen is entitled to join a political party or religion of their choice."

Museveni also praised Kashaija for being a hero. He created space for every political party in his family. Mao said Kashaija was the first person to join DP in Mbarara and in the Ankore region together with the late Boniface Byanyima, the father of Eng. Winnie Byanyima, in 1954 after meeting Benedicto Kiwanuka in Mbarara.

He served as the DP chairperson for Mbarara district and Ankore region for a long time.

Purikeriya Kebigombe, 80, the wife of the deceased said: "Since our marriage, Kashaija had never raised a hand on me. He showed me every kind of love and promised me that only death would separate us and he has fulfilled it."

However, Forum for Democratic Change leaders, including Eng. Patrick Amuriat, left the burial unhappy after being denied a chance to address the mourners.