It was drama at the send off of former Kampala Mayor Al- Hajji Nasser Ssebagala after mourners yelled at the second Deputy Prime Minister Kirunda Kivejinja for making “insulting mentions” of presidential hopeful Kyagulanyi Robert.
“Bwemba ndagidde nti Kyagulanyi Bamukwate,” “If I order for Kyagulanyi’s arrest” Kivejinja stated before he was cut short.
Mourners purported to be members of the National Unity Platform (NUP / People Power) heckled at him demanding him to stop speaking something that forced the aged father retract his statement before the situation would come to normalcy. Kivejinja was representing President Museveni at the funeral.
In his eulogy, Museveni hailed the deceased whom he described as a great entrepreneur and a man of wisdom.
“Uganda lost a great entrepreneur and a man of wisdom,” Museveni mourned.
Ssebagala who won the “SEYA” nickname due to his role in fighting for the rights of the marginalized business persons in Kampala passed away on September 26, at IHK after falling a short illness.
He was buried today at around 3pm at his ancestral home in Kisaasi Kampala city suburb.
Ssebagala was the first directly elected Mayor to enter City Hall between 2006-2011.
In 2016, he attempted to contest for presidency but later made a U-turn to run for Kampala Mayorship.
At the funeral turned political podium, women were implored to vote wisely in the forthcoming election for the Kampala Lord Mayor race that is between Incumbent Erias Lukwago (fdc), Nabilah Nagayi Ssempala (NUP) and singer Ragga Dee (NRM) as the frontrunners.
This was after several mourners including Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi, Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Nagayi (aspiring Kampala Lord Mayor) hailed efforts by the deceased in fighting for the rights of vulnerable market vendors in Kampala most of whom women.
These states the move by the deceased to fight against violation of the “common people” in business city Kampala has up to now failed cease asking women to vote for Hon Nabilah who will provide solutions to their grievances.
“If Kampala city was like constructing a house, the Lord Mayor position would be a kitchen. In our African setting Women are the bosses in the kitchen,” said illusive Kyagulanyi.
He added, “Hajji fought for the rights of women market vendors in Kampala. Women, if you are to ensure his dream to be a success, know where to cast your vote.”
The funeral turned political pulpit was however challenged by tycoon Godfrey Kirumira, the Chairperson Bagaga Kwagalana” an association that brings together city ‘rich businessmen.”
Kirumira challenged politicians who build perimeter walls to limit access by the poor voters to emulate Ssebagala whom he said was a selfless and a run to person in the time of need.
The deceased younger brother Latiff Ssebagala Ssengendo, also the Kawempe North county MP said Ssebagala lacked best academic papers nevertheless he influenced in transforming his community.
” You proved to everyone that you don’t have to hold a PHD to be useful to your community.”
Among other notable mourners were Ken Lukyamuzi, First Deputy PM Moses Ali, and other big shots from Government and the Bussiness Community.
At the time of his death, Ssebagala had shown interest to stand for Lord Mayorship position after he picked the NUP card – a dream he hasn’t attained.
