Police in Mpigi district was forced to fire teargas to disperse supporters of Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine at the burial of the former chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Med Kaggwa.
Fracas ensued as supporters started to converge around the legislator after the burial of the fallen Human Rights activist.
The chaos erupted when Bobi Wine was making his way to his car to head back to Kampala.
Kaggwa was laid to rest on Thursday at Lufuka Village in Mpigi district with mourners eulogizing him as a genuine human rights defender.
Kaggwa was pronounced dead at Case hospital after fainting in his car near Mulago roundabout on Wednesday morning.
Hundreds of mourners thronged the village to send off the deceased and among the mourners were politicians, religious leaders, human rights defenders among others.
The family of the late requested human rights defenders to continue pushing towards his effort of defending human rights in Uganda and Africa at large.
President Museveni’s message was read by the vice president Edward Ssekandi describing the late Kaggwa as selfless in the service to his country.
“He leaves behind an inspiring and viable legacy of hard work which will be emulated by all Ugandans especially the young generation,” Museveni said.
Other mourners who also eulogized the late had this to say.
“He fought hard for the close of Nalufenya and we all benefited. He is one of those who told legislators to come and fight for the rights of Ugandans,” Muhammad Nsereko, MP Kampala central said.
The Kampala Lord mayor Erias Lukago said the late exhibited a high sense of resilience in fighting for human rights.
“I will always remember his contribution towards the value of social justice, equality, fairness and human dignity amidst all the challenges facing the institution.”
Asuman Basalirwa, MP Bugiri Municipality said: “We will remember him as an advocate for respect of human rights ,rule of law and constitutionalism,”
Bobi Wine on Facebook
Today we joined hundreds of mourners at the send-off of senior citizen, Hon. Med Kaggwa.
Although I returned to the country late in the night, I felt compelled to attend this burial in honor of the deceased’s commitment to human rights – despite working in a very difficult situation.
I also felt compelled to attend because Hon. Kaggwa was there for me in one of the most difficult moments of my life. He did not only visit me in prison, but he went as far as pushing to see that my family and a few of my lawyers were able to visit me in that military facility. As Shakespeare says,
“The evil that men do lives after them; The good is often interred with their bones.” May your good works follow you, and may your soul rest in peace.
Unfortunately on our way back, police and the military teargassed our people who came out to wave to us and show solidarity with our cause. I told them that not even their brutality can stop an idea whose time has come.