The body of fallen General today laid for the final national prayers at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
The event, attended by hundreds of mourners from around the country, was presided over by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda His Eminence Stanley Ntagali.
President Yoweri Museveni attended in person, as well as heads of the various heads of government agencies. Also in attendance were commanders of regional armies and their representatives.
Summary of the moving speeches
Mrs Linda Nyakairima
“He’s been full of life. This heart problem they are talking about, true it might have been there, but the 20 years I have lived with my husband, I have never seen him sick. My Children are witnesses. We have never seen him fail to get out of bed to go and work.”
“He was full of strength, until Saturday when we were told… He, would never have wanted to see anybody suffer.”
Gen Edward Katumba Wamala
“You would not hear words like “do you know who I am?” coming out of him; he was that humble.” Gen Katumba called upon all men in uniform to emulate the fallen general.
“To the bereaved family, Gen Aronda might not have left you with a lot of wealth, but a clean name is what he has left you; that will open doors for you.”
Hon James Baba
“I have personally never seen a man so hard working and selfless. He would go without lunch and work on weekends and holidays. He knew almost all staff that worked under him, including those in very small departments. He knew who excelled and who needed support. He took interest in almost everyone under him.”
Aronda died last Saturday on his way back to Uganda from a foriegn trip, and according to results from a post-mortem examination released Thursday, the minister died of an "acute heart failure due to extensive and irreversible blockade of the heart blood vessels".
A vigil will be held at General Aronda’s home in Buziga tonight and later on the body will be taken to his ancestral home in Rukungiri where it will be laid to rest on Sunday.
More details coming up
