News coming in from Jinja indicates that Rev Canon Dr. Tom Tuma plans on blocking any plans to have the body of his deceased wife and former Jinja Woman Member of parliament Ruth Tuma lay in state for legislators to pay their last respects.
Tuma passed on yesterday morning at International Hospital Kampala (IHK) where she succumbed to cancer.
She represented Jinja women in the 7th and 8th parliament and her attempt to retain her sit was frustrated in the NRM party primaries.
Tuma has been battling cancer for a couple of months and she was flown to South Africa but failed to improve.
The Jinja National Resistance Movement- NRM party Vice chairperson Majid Dhikusooka explains that; "She was recently flown to South Africa for medical attention before she was returned.”
He adds that ever since then she has been in Kampala under the care of her husband Rev Canon Dr. Tom Tuma until she breathed her last.
The former Namutumba Woman Member of parliament Florence Mutyabule, says the death of Tuma is a huge blow to the whole of Busoga region as she was down to earth during her tenure as a legislator.
"She associated much with the rural women and provided them with coffee seedlings and banana suckers in a bid to improve their livelihood. I was even shocked when she didn't make it to the 9th parliament. Busoga has lost an innovative and gallant daughter.
A family source however told the press that her husband doesn't want the body taken to parliament like the case has been with other legislators.
A tentative funeral program indicates that the body of the deceased will today be transferred to Jinja for a night vigil at their home along Kiira road, a requiem mass is scheduled for Friday at Christ's Cathedral ahead of the burial slated for Sunday in Kasedere Namutumba district.
