{UAH} MPs, Opposition dodge Fallen Nebanda's Memorial Services

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Category: Politics News

Published on 20 November 2013

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MPs, Opposition dodge Fallen Nebanda’s Memorial Services as the Puzzled and Lonely Family repeats Demands Govt to Provide Answers for her Death

By Stephen K Muwambi

MPs, Government officials and the opposition stayed away from the memorial service for the departed Butalejja departed MP Cerinah Nebanda.

Christ the King Vicar General Joseph Mugambe presided over the mass which had only two MPs from Bunyole, from where the fallen MP hailed.

Mugambe advised Ugandans to get ready for the heavenly journey.  “Death does not give prior notice before knocking at any person’s door. As such, everyone must prepare well for the final journey beforehand so that when the last hour comes he is worthy a place in heaven,� counseled the Vicar General.

He urged Christians to pray for the dead saying the dead cannot intercede on their behalf. To this end, he advised Christians to make friends during their lifetime who will pray for them when they finally pass on.

No show

Government did not send in any representative. While only UPC, among the many political parties in Uganda, had its Vice President Joseph Bbosa in attendance.

It was not clear whether the Nebanda family did not send out invitations to government, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nandala Mafabi, MPs and the respective political parties’ leaders. We did not ask the bereaved because we did not want to invade their grief.

Tears

During the mass, the departed MP’s mother Alice Namulwa broke down and cried. Overcome by grief, the mum’s legs gave way, prompting the stoutly built lady to sit down. She did not rise up again till the mass had ended.

By her side, was Namulwa’s husband Fred Mukasa, daughter Florence Nebanda who replaced her departed sister as Butalejja MP among a few relatives.

More questions than answers

When she rose to address the congregation, Nebanda’s sister, MP Florence Nebanda said there are still lingering questions concerning who and what killed her sister and for what reason.

“There are still questions that remain unanswered. We keep hoping against hope that government will provide those answers. But if it does not, we believe God will one day provide the answers at the time of His own choosing,� Florence remarked.

Recounting the hard times that the family had gone through following the death of her sister, Florence added, “God the protector has been with us at those most trying moments.�

“Tears have been freely flowing down our eyes. We know it has not been a hard time for only us but even for the people Nebanda represented in Parliament and the citizenry who cherished her work,� Florence added.

The MP appealed to her constituents not to panic, saying whatever project her departed sister had started she will do and complete it to their satisfaction.

She thanked Ugandans who commiserated with the family during their greatest loss, President Museveni and his cabinet ministers, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Leader of Opposition Nandala Mafabi and all MPs who contributed generously to the departed’s burial and even made the trip for her final send-off.

Departed’s mentor

While he urged government to speed up investigations into the cause of Nebanda’s death, MP Emmanuel Dombo warned the family members and Ugandans to avoid flouting the sub-judice dictum that bars members of public from discussing matters before courts of law.

“It’s our prayer that justice shall finally be done,� Dombo, who asked Ugandans for Nebanda’s successor Florence to fit in her political shoes, added.

UPC steals show

Riding on the fact that his party was the only one that had a representative at the service, party Deputy President Joseph Bbosa marched to where the departed’s mum was seated and commiserated with her.

Dressed in the party’s shirt, Bbosa shook hands with Namulwa, but bad for him, the people greeting the bereaved mum blocked photo and TV journalists, denying them a chance to take the politically rewarding snap.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower