Lumumba pays respect to the Late Kirunda Kivejinja

Monday 21st December 2020

The Family of the Late Rt.Hon ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA.

 

I am saddened by the news of the passing on of Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA; the immediate 2nd Deputy Prime Minister in the Government of the Republic of Uganda; and also the National Chairperson of the Historical League in the National Resistance Movement Organization. He passed on last evening at the Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he had been admitted a few weeks ago. He was 85 years.

Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA has been a true Patriot, Nationalist and Pan-Africanist; whose character and way of life was an embodiment of the four Principles of the National Resistance Movement. He has been able to blend his rich and diverse political credentials for the good of his country, Uganda.

Throughout his distinguished and illustrious political career, he has been a fighter against bad governance, a factor that primed him as one of the longest serving cadres in the National Resistance Movement’s struggle for the socio-economic transformation of society.

He was a man who stood by his word and practiced what he preached.  He always “walked the talk” in everything that he believed in, even if he was alone in that belief. He was honest and trustworthy and lived a simple life; and abhorred laziness and wastefulness; which is a rare commodity in Uganda today. Above all, he was always on “standby” for any mobilization and deployment. A very dependable Cadre.

At a personal level, the Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA was always available for me to consult; to laugh and joke with; a shoulder that I could lean on; and has been a great anchor that has kept me politically and mentally “sober” even amidst extreme provocation and intrigue, that sometimes characterizes the murky waters that politics can degenerate into.

Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA has been the natural voice of reason in the Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement; whenever contentious issues arose, always espousing the “correct line” and consistently reminding the leadership of where the National Resitance Movement came from, where it was now and which direction it should take in order to secure the future.

Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA had an additional attribute worth eulogizing. He loved his family, biological, extended and political. He was able to blend the love for his family, where he has been a great husband, father and mentor; and the political calling that was his patriotic duty to transform Uganda. He touched so many lives and that we can only remember his good deeds to us, by emulating his great and noble character.

As a family, you have lost a strong pillar at a time you probably still needed his guidance most. It is my sincere prayer that Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful, may comfort all of you at this moment of your bereavement.

It is my humble prayer that the family keeps united together, so that the great and rich legacy left by the Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA continues to flourish.

The National Resitance Movement stands in solidarity with the family, the people of Busoga, and indeed the country, in recognition of the great Patriot and Nationalist that Rt.Hon. ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA has been.

On the behalf of the National Resistance Movement leadership, and on my own behalf, please accept our heartfelt condolences and contribution of Ug.shs. 10,000,000/= (Uganda shillings, Ten Million) only.

May Allah, whom Rt.Hon ALI KIRUNDA KIVEJINJA served with all his heart, mind and soul, rest his spirit in Eternal Peace.

 

 

Justine Kasule Lumumba Rt.Hon.

SECRETARY GENERAL