Bunyoro holds special parliamentary session for fallen Prime Minister

Nov 08, 2020

Barongo served as the first kingdom Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister) after the restoration of kingdoms by the NRM government in1994.

CULTURE|DEATH|BUNYORO

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom Rukurato (Parliament) has paid a glowing tribute to Prof Yolamu Barongo, the former Prime Minister of the Kingdom.

This was on Saturday (November 7, 2020) during a special parliamentary session held to honour the deceased at the Kingdom Rukurato in Hoima district.

Barongo served as the first kingdom Omuhikirwa (Prime Minister) after the restoration of kingdoms by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government in1994.

He served as the Prime Minister between 1994 and 1999. He died on Friday at his home in Muyenga, Kampala district of diabetes which he has battled for long.

Brian Kakoraki, the Rukurato member for Kitoba sub-county, moved the motion to pay tribute to the late Prof Barongo, expressing concern at the deaths of such a distinguished scholar whom he recalls for giving them a chance to see the Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru when he (Omukama) visited the fallen Omuhikirwa at his home in Nyakafunjo village.

"In 1994 as a young boy he accorded us a rare chance to see the Omukama when he (Barongo) hosted him at his home which is our village and I felt excited to see the King because he had just ascended the throne," he added.

Isaac Kalembe, the Omutalindwa (Rukurato Speaker), said the deceased Prime Minister will be remembered for authoring many books including Uganda and the problem of refugees which is widely cited, taught in many universities, and a person who mobilized the youth to love their kingdom.

He died on Friday at his home in Muyenga, Kampala district of diabetes which he has battled for long.


"I have not come to praise Ceaser but to bury him," Kalembe said while presiding over to the Rukurato.

Andrew Kirundi Byakutaga, the kingdom premier in a speech read for him by John Apollo Rwamparo, the First Deputy Kingdom Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, said Barongo is remembered for building a strong foundation and resuscitate the monarchy that had been restored after 29 years of suspension.

He said Barongo also initiated a 20-man committee to negotiate for the return of the kingdom assets that had been held by the central government.

"He did not find any resources and the Rukurato buildings had been taken over by the government but he surrounded himself with educated people and started the kingdom's cultural trust," Byakutaga added.

However, the Premier said it is unfortunate that he died without seeing his dream to have all kingdom assets returned, adding that this-return of assets debate cannot go on forever.

"The return of the remaining kingdom assets has taken long. Some have been sold in the process and we don't want to take the litigation route to get them back," he said.

Dr. Fred Kabagambe Kaliisa, the chairperson of Royal Commission, who served under the late Barongo as a minister without portfolio, described him as hardworking, trustworthy, honest, and a person of integrity.

He remembers him for working tirelessly to renovate the palace which is now located a few metres away from the Rukurato then which was in derelict shape and convincing the Omukama to come and stay in it.

"He would use his own resources to run the affairs of the kingdom. Initiated a tour by the Omukama to tour all the sub-counties across the kingdom. We celebrate his work outside and inside the kingdom," Kaliisa said.

Who is Barongo?

Barongo who died aged 79, was appointed as a substantive Deputy Managing Director (MD) of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) on January 6, 1999, having served as a deputy. He also once served as acting MD of NSSF.

He was a visiting Professor at the University of Dublin, Professor at Makerere University, founder of Kitara Students Association (KISA), Children Writers Association (CWA) where his wife Evangeline Ledi Barongo Atrwwoki is a member and author and contributor to children's literature in Uganda.

Barongo's body arrived at the Rukurato Hall at 4:40 PM. It was led by a brass band which played dirges. He will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Nyakafunjo village, Kitoba sub-county, Hoima district on Sunday.

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