The former Democratic Party (DP) stalwart Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, was laid to rest in Nattale, Nkumba amidst disagreement between the widow and the state on whether or not the late should be accorded a gun salute or official burial. In the end, the state got its way.
The misunderstanding started on Sunday during the vigil of the late when family members of the late revealed that the former DP president general had asked to be buried modestly, turning down a directive from President Museveni for an official burial.
During a meeting between government official and the late family members headed by John Kawanga, and Ssemogerere’s widow Dr Germina Namatovu Ssemogerere turned down Museveni's offer.
But at the final send off, Ssemogerere the longest serving DP president general would be accorded a 17-gun salute, something which angered the family.
The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja who represented President Museveni as the chief mourner told the mourners that she was just a messenger and there was nothing much she could do to change the position of the government.
"His excellency the president has directed that he be accorded an official funeral. The Constitution states that one who reach at the level of prime minister is accorded 17-gun salute. I am just a messenger, let me leave the matter there," she noted.
"People have said a lot of things that I cannot respond to due to time but let me tell you this, when someone is given official burial, government is responsible for all the expenses."
Nabbanja said Ugandans should all emulate Ssemogerere's legacy of being a peace lover, adding that at the burial, she had observed many mistakes that need to be corrected.
The Katikkiro of Buganda Charkes Peter Mayiga applauded the late for fighting for the kingdom's interest especially when he was serving in different government positions.
"We have seen very many Baganda who when they secure a big position in the government, they start shying away from the issues regarding the kingdom. The late was a different person. He stood for Buganda when he was a very powerful person," he noted.
The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine said he grew up admiring Ssemogerere as an exceptional statesman.
"He knew me as one of the many grandsons of Walakira. When I joined active politics 5 years ago, he took me under his wing and became my teacher and mentor," he stated.
Ssemogerere passed away at his home in Rubaga Division in Kampala on Friday, November 18. The cause of death, according to a post mortem report was acute urinary tract infection.
