President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday night joined family and friends in Kampala of the late Boniface Byanyima, a man who influenced Ugandan politics from start to finish.
The funeral and burial of Mzee Byanyima is likely to be a hot political potato for the government and the opposition in the currently polarized political times, given that he raised President Museveni in his home but is also the father-in-law of Kizza Besigye, a political nemesis to the president.
Museveni wrote online; “I joined the Byanyima family in Kampala to pay my last respects to Mzee Boniface Byanyima for his exceptional works in Ankole and indeed Uganda.”
“Mzee Byanyima was one of the “batembuzi” or pioneers in Ankole of a number of key issues.”
“He was a teacher at a time when education was not given much importance in Ankore.”
“He was one of the first three revolutionary farmers in Ankole and politically I respected him because he stuck to the beliefs he held dear.”
“Therefore it is an honour for me to pay my respects to Mzee Byanyima for a full life both in age and accomplishments. May his soul rest in peace.”
The family and government released a detailed programme of the burial arrangements.
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According to the program, the body will on Friday be taken to Parliament at12Noon for public viewing and later, tributes by members of parliament.
On Saturday 20th May at 8am, a funeral Service will be held at Namirembe Cathedral and on the same day at 6pm, a requiem Mass will be held at his home in Ruti Mbarara.
On Sunday May 21st at 10am, an Ecumenical Service will be held at his home, followed by burial at 2pm.
