The Democratic Party (DP) president Norbert Mao has eulogised former Party National Treasurer, Issa Kikungwe as one who stood firm for truth and justice.
Issa Kikungwe, a former member of parliament for Kyadondo South (15 years), former aspirant for the Kampala Lord Mayor and Uganda Boxing Federation seats succumbed to heart failure at Mengo hospital on Sunday Morning.
“I announce with deep sorrow the death of our colleague the DP National Treasurer The Hon. Al Hajji Issa Kikungwe which occurred today Sunday 5 November 2017 in the morning at Mengo Hospital, Kampala. Our colleague did not regain consciousness after a surgery he underwent on Friday 27 October 2017 to remove a brain tumor which had recurred after a successful surgery a few years ago,” Mao said in a statement.
He then lavished praise on the deceased, saying Kikungwe was at the forefront of vital reforms to establish a financial management system that ensures accountability and transparency.
“He was also at the forefront of promoting the project of building the Party Headquarters (Ben Kiwanuka House). Hon. Kikungwe was a decisive and dependable man. He was always committed to doing what he believed to be right. Even if you did not agree with him you knew where he stood on a particular issue,” Mao said.
“In his political work as a parliamentarian he stood firm for truth and justice. In 2005 he was one of a few of us in the Legal Committee who presented a Minority Report opposing the removal of presidential term limits from the constitution. For many years he was chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Government Assurances. He used that platform to highlight many of the government’s unfulfilled promises. He was committed to community empowerment. The many community development projects he initiated in his constituency over the years attest to his outstanding commitment to uplifting the status of ordinary citizens.,” he added.
Who is Kikunqwe
Issa Kikungwe opted out of parliament in 2016 after 15 years of service as Kyadondo South Member of Parliament.
He said while quitting that, there was nothing new he could offer as MP since government was not taking on constructive ideas.
“I have realised that I can’t make any change. I love a situation where someone listens when I talk, but it’s like we are talking to a deaf person,” he said, citing corruption, election irregularities, unemployment and a breakdown in delivery of social services.
Kikungwe would later announce he was vying for the seat of the Kampala Lord Mayor. He came third to Daniel Kazibwe alias Ragga Dee (NRM) and Erias Lukwago (Independent).
Kikungwe also tried contesting for a sports post when he vied for the Uganda Boxing Federation presidency in 2013 but lost by seven votes to Kenneth Gimugu, a lawyer from Entebbe Boxing Club.
Kikungwe lost his wife, Zaina Nalule in 2016. Around the same year, he was announced sick and parliament offered a special session to pray for him together with other legislators.
