President Yoweri Museveni has paid glowing tribute to the late Ruth Kazibwe and other people who played a big role in the protracted armed people’s struggle in the 1980s.
The President was speaking at the burial of the late Ruth Kazibwe today in Ssenga village, Gombe Sub-County in Wakiso District.
She succumbed to high blood pressure yesterday. She was wife to the late Godfrey Kazibwe, a former Presidential Advisor on Luweero Triangle Affairs.
The Kazibwe family hosted the President in May 1981 while he prepared to travel to Kenya during the early days of the protracted armed people’s struggle that was launched in the Luweero Triangle.
While expressing his sadness over the death of Mrs. Kazibwe, President Museveni thanked the people for turning up in large numbers for her burial.
“I thank you for attending in large numbers to see off our fellow freedom fighters. Several people fought but there are some exceptional ones. She is one of them and that is the reason why I decided to attend personally. This was one of the few homes which gave me shelter during the struggle,” he said.
He observed that freedom fighters sacrificed their lives adding that the peace we are enjoying today came from the sacrifices of the veterans.
President Museveni informed the mourners that in May 1981, while preparing to travel to Kenya during the struggle, he was hosted by the Kazibwe family.
He called on the people to appreciate the work done by the veterans during the war adding that He had home to thank the family for its exceptional role in the struggle.
He informed the attentive mourners that all the Kazibwe family members kept the secret of hosting a freedom fighter and noted that such an act was dangerous particularly for the children within the family.
It is because of the sacrifice of people like Ruth that Uganda today enjoys the peace and stability it does.
The President said that while Government cannot carry out all the development programmes at the same time, it is going to build the Bombo – Ndejje- Nakakonge road.
He also said that it would build the Mawale – Kangave – Kakira road and that the list of new roads includes the Kyerenza – Nasinga – Nakwaya road.
The Nansana MP, Hon. Robert Sebunya Kasule, introduced the veterans present at the funeral. He saluted President Museveni for treating the veterans when they fall ill.
Kennedy Zziwa, son of the deceased, thanked President Museveni for according their mother a befitting send off and for all the assistance he has rendered to the family.
The Mayor of Gombe, Nsereko Sebuliba, said that the late Ruth Kazibwe cared for the freedom fighters. He saluted the President for providing various facilities to the residents such as health centers, technical institutes and schools.
The Chairman of the Veterans, Hajji Idrisa Ssedunga commended the President for caring for the veterans. He also saluted him for sponsoring Muslims to the Mecca pilgrimage.