{UAH} It’s not African to expel mourners

It's not African to expel mourners

    

 

 

Reaching out. Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi greets former vice president Specioza Wandira Kazibwe at the burial of late Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze on Sunday. Photo by Denis Edema

By EDITOR

IN SUMMARY

• The issue: Dr Kazibwe's conduct
• Our view: Politically mature politicians should tolerate views and people with who they do agree all the time. In neighbouring Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, despite their political differences, have shaken hands and have dined together.

During the burial of former Bishop of Busoga Cyprian Bamwoze last Sunday, former vice President Dr Specioza Wandira Kazibwe reportedly criticised the presence of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine. It was also reported that Dr Kazibwe reasoned that the the legislator was unknown to Bishop Bamwoze and, therefore, had no reason to show up at his send-off.

However, many Basoga and other people blasted Dr Kazibwe's behaviour, saying it was unAfrican to chase away mourners as the former vice president did. They said Dr Kazibwe's actions are unique to her as an individual. Indeed, her conduct towards Mr Kyagulanyi prompted many of the mourners to shout her down.

In an interview, Mr Kyagulanyi has reminded the former VP that in Africa, there is no invitation for people to pay their last respects to dear ones. He added that Bishop Bamwoze was a leader who was well known for having stood up for the rights of the people and fought injustice, the reason why he travelled to Busoga to pay his last respects.

Yes, Mr Kyagulanyi of "People Power, Our Power" pressure group could be having a divergent political ideology from that which Dr Kazibwe subscribes to (the ruling National Resistance Movement). Granted. But during burials, such differences are put aside for the sake honouring the soul of the departed.

In African in particular and across the world, not only those who mourn and bury the dead should have known them while they were still alive. We always mourn our relatives, friends, workmates and the people associated with them who pass on whether we know them or not. And in many cases, people who accompany others to bury their loved ones are often welcomed and acknowledged for standing with the aggrieved in their time of need.

So assuming that Mr Kyagulanyi and Bishop Bamwoze were not known to each other, still there is nothing wrong for him to commiserate with his fellow MPs from Busoga with whom they sit in Parliament to bid farewell to Bishop Bamwoze. No doubt, Dr Kazibwe's conduct is a symptom the democratic deficiency that bedevil many of Uganda's politicians. Politically mature politicians should tolerate views and people with who they do not agree.

And we do not need to go far to see where this works. In neighbouring Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, despite their political differences, have shaken hands and have dined together. That is what political maturity is all about.

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