President Yoweri Museveni has okayed an official burial of fallen Rotary International President-Elect Sam Owori, whose body will arrive in Uganda next Monday ahead of his burial on July 29, according to a tentative programme released this morning.
Owori, a member of Rotary Club of Kampala, was only the first Ugandan and second African to be elected President of Rotary International, a humanitarian service organisation that unites leaders committed to improving lives and bringing positive, lasting change to communities around the world.
He died on Friday in Dallas-Texas, USA, as a result of post - operative complications from a planned surgery on his leg. His term as Rotary International's 108th president would have begun on July 1, 2018 after his installation at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Canada.
A tentative programme released this morning indicates that the body will arrive at Entebbe Airport on Monday July 24. A joint Rotary fellowship is scheduled at Lugogo Indoor Stadium the next day to enable Rotarians and Friends of Rotary to eulogize a man, credited for the growth of the organisation in the country.
On Wednesday, the body will lay in state in parliament for public viewing and a tribute session later in the day. The proposal is however pending confirmation from the office of the Prime Minister, according to Stephen Mwanje, the Past Rotary District Governor and the Chairperson of burial arrangement committee.
Hellen Kaweesa the Public Relations Manager at Parliament explains that they are still waiting for an official request for the special session, before confirming the programme. It the proposal is approved, the parliamentary session will precede a requiem mass at Nakasero on Thursday July 27. The late Owori will be buried in Kidera, Tororo on Saturday July 29.
Since becoming a member of Rotary in 1978, Owori has served Rotary as Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Regional Rotary International Membership Coordinator, Regional International Representative to the United Nations Environment Program and UN-Habitat, and Rotary International Director.
Besides his work in Rotary, Owori has served as the chief executive officer of the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda. He has previously served as the executive director of the African Development Bank, managing director of Uganda Commercial Bank Ltd., and director of Uganda Development Bank.
