Parliament on Thursday paid tribute to veteran politician, the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere. He died on Friday at home in Lubaga and was laid to rest on Monday at his ancestral home in Nkumba, Wakiso District.

During a debate on a motion moved by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Members of Parliament eulogized the late Ssemogerere for his steadfast loyalty to the country, advocacy for equity, respect for rule of law, and human rights, among other qualities.

Ssemogerere, contested twice for the presidency, in 1980 and in 1996, losing both to Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni respectively. After a decade of service, he retired from active politics in 2005 but remained a senior figure in the opposition until his death.

He led the Democratic Party- DP for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was murdered in 1972. Dr. Ssemogerere handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor.

Dr. Ssemogerere served as a Member of the Uganda Legislative Council between 1961 to 1962 and a Member of Parliament for North Mengo Constituency in the first Parliament of Uganda.

During the tributes, his portrait was displayed on the screens inside the parliament chambers.

Nabbanja, said that the late Ssemogerere was a particularly dedicated and dignified leader who immeasurably participated and contributed to shaping the pre and post-independence democratic governance and political leadership of Uganda.

She further described the late Ssemogerere as a firm advocate and promoter of democracy and one of those who contributed to constitutionalism in Uganda.

Nabbanja asked parliament to appreciate the service that Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere rendered to the Democratic Party and the people of Uganda and pass a resolution in his honor.

While seconding the motion, Medard Lubega Sseggona, the acting Leader of the Opposition recommended that the resolution moved by Nabbanja is amended to urge the government to name a befitting prime road in the memory and appreciation of the late Ssemogerere.

The Busiro East MP said that the death of Ssemogerere crowns 90 years of a solid character of loyalty to the country, a high level of integrity, a brilliant record of service to the public, a deep sense of nationalism, unshakeable faith in God, and unquestionable commitment to the motherland.

“His commitment to his country was critically underpinned by the understanding that beyond all manner of thought and idea, Uganda is bigger than any one individual or any institution. I recall with fondness that in 1993 he chaired the committee for the coronation of His Majesty Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, for which he was awarded a medal,” said Sseggona.

He told parliament that Ssemogerere was saddened at the increasing number of abductions and political intolerance in the country by state operatives, the growing authoritarianism and the country’s weak institutions, the assault on constitutionalism and rule of law, the uncertainty arising out of the debate on political succession, economic stagnation and the youth growth without assurance of a stable future.

Sseggona said that this is a far cry from Uganda the late Ssemogerere tirelessly worked for and applied himself for all his adult life.

“If any in his memory and honor, this is a renewed call for deliberate sacrifice on our part to deliver reforms to the electoral landscape and validate the legitimacy of the aspirations of our people to decide how they are led. To deliver equitable opportunity and services across the nation,” Sseggona appealed.

Nabbanja said that government will consider a proposal to name a road after the late Ssemogerere.

Cecilia Ogwal, Dokolo Woman MP said that she knew the late Ssemogerere as a Democratic Party member, a catholic Christian, a democrat, and an activist in the restoration of the country.

Ogwal appealed to the government not to wait for people like Ssemogerere to die for it to give them a glorious send-off.

James Baba Boliba, the Koboko County MP said that when Dr. Ssemogerere was a Minister of Foreign Affairs for a decade, he gave protection to Foreign Service officers.

“As a foreign service officer it is a very competitive job and when you join it, you hope to rise to the ambassadorial level from grade six to grade one. Dr. Ssemogerere as Minister protected this, so officers like me rose to become ambassadors and head missions. Now these aspirations of foreign service officers are almost dashed,” said Baba.

The former State Minister for Internal Affairs appealed to the government and the President to look into the issue of foreign officers being reduced to working in headquarters, as secretaries, and in other positions.

Richard Lumu, the Mityana South MP said that the late Ssemogerere was very incorruptible while Fortunate Rose Nantongo, the Kyotera Woman MP said that the veteran politician mentored youth.

Jimmy Akena, Lira East Division said that the last conversation he had with the late Ssemogerere was on the 1996 elections and he was questioning whether his father, former President Milton Obote totally supported his bid for the presidency.

“I assured him that the struggle for multi-party politics was forefront and it was clear that we don’t have to agree on everything but so long as the common ideal for a better Uganda is before us, we can work with anyone in whatever circumstance,” said Akena.

Akena, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) President said that they are sure that his party won the 1980 presidential election fair and square and that contrary statements are just hearsay.

Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa appealed to MPs to emulate the late Ssemogerere’s efforts toward peace and reconciliation. He directed the Clerk to Parliament to extract the resolution made by parliament and avail it too the late Ssemogerere’s family.

Members of the Interparty Organisation for Dialogue-IPOD Council on Wednesday visited the Democratic Party-DP headquarters along Balintuma Road in Mengo Kampala to eulogise the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.

Dr. Ssemogerere died last week at his home in Lubaga and was accorded a state funeral at his home in Nattale, Nkumba Wakiso District. Since his passing and sendoff, messages of mourning have continued to come in to both his family and the Party he led as President General for 25 years.

On Wednesday, the council which comprises of Secretary Generals of member political parties of IPOD which are, the National Resistance Movement -NRM, Uganda People’s Congress-UPC, Justice Forum Party-JEEMA, People’s Progressive Party-PPP, and the host, DP eulogized the late Ssemogerere, describing him as an icon of dialogue and peace in this country.

The DP Secretary General, Dr. Gerard Blacks Siranda says that while they are saddened by his passing, they are equally celebrating a life of a man who loved unity, dialogue and engagement even with people with whom he held personal grievances.

He says, Ssemogerere believed in unity and diversity, multiparty dispensations and the general unity of the Country. Dr. Siranda says that IPOD stands for the values that Ssemogerere espoused, putting Uganda first amidst all challenges.

The IPOD Council was led by the NRM Secretary General, who is the council chairman Richard Todwong and he too had only praises for the late Dr. Ssemogerere. He says he learnt of Ssemogerere when he was still a young boy and was mesmerized by the attributes he learnt that the late exhibited in his life as a Christian and a politician.

Todwong says that Ssemogerere exhibited high level of humility during his political career referring to the 1980 elections won by Dr. Milton Obote. Ssemogerere is said to have won the highly contested elections but his victory rigged by the Obote government. He chose to let go although there were views that he would go to court or even resort to a rebellion to rescue his victory.

He says that it takes a man of high humility and a big heart to choose peace and unity of his country at a time when his victory is snatched from him. He recognized Ssemogerere for the contribution he made in the leadership of this country and in grooming young people especially through the DP.

Todwong who also used the opportunity to praise DP for entering into a Cooperation Agreement with the NRM said that the country is currently divided on petty issues and losing focus on the bigger picture of globalization where countries are recognized by what they have to offer to the world.

He says that as politicians mourn the passing of Dr. Ssemogerere, they should reflect on his legacy and weight their actions to see if they have strong faith as he did, keep strong no matter the tough times and commitment to unity for the sake of the country.

The JEEMA Secretary General Muhammad Kateregga also delivered their condolences and hailed Ssemogerere for his relentless service to the growth and development of the political dispensation of the country.

Other Secretaries General who visited DP headquarters were Fred Ebil of the UPC and David Alira of the PPP. The IPOD Executive Secretary Frank Rusa was also part of the team.

According to the DP, they shall be in mourning and continue welcoming mourners to their offices up to close of next week.

Parliament has observed a minute of silence to honor the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the former president General of the Democratic party-DP. The veteran opposition politician died on Friday last week at the age of 90 years and was laid to rest at Nattale- Nkumba, in Entebbe on Monday afternoon.

Ssemogerere contested for the presidency in 1980 and in 1996, losing to Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni respectively. After a decades of service, he retired from active politics in 2005 but remained a senior figure in the opposition until his death. He led the Democratic Party- DP for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was murdered in 1972.

Dr. Ssemogerere handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor. Dr. Ssemogerere served as a Member of the Uganda Legislative Council between 1961 to 1962 and a Member of Parliament for North Mengo Constituency in the first Parliament of Uganda. After the 1980 elections whose results were contested, he opposed the use of violence to change political leadership and settled as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament during the tumultuous years of the second Obote administration between 1981 and 1985.

Ssemogerere emerged as the senior government negotiator during the 1985 peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya, which kicked off immediately after the army overthrew Obote’s government. In 1986 he joined the new government headed by President Museveni and served as Internal Affairs Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister among others. He resigned from his cabinet position in 1995 to challenge Museveni in the 1996 elections.

As MPs convened for the plenary Tuesday afternoon, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among formally communicated the demise of the veteran politician, describing him as a distinguished leader with an illustrious political and leadership career.

“The return of multi-party democracy in 2000 is attributed to the consistent advocacy by Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, among other national leaders. The country will dearly miss Dr. Ssemogerere,” said Among. The Speaker urged the Leader of Government Business in parliament and the Leader of the Opposition to consider moving a bi-partisan motion for the House to pay tribute for the distinguished service that the late Ssemogerere offered to the country.

Following her communication, Dr. Abed Bwanika, the Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP, said that they look forward to a motion for all MPs to pay tribute to Ssemogerere whom he described as a wonderful man. The former presidential candidate also said that the late Ssemogerere was an outstanding gentleman who made a huge contribution to Uganda.

Joseph Ssewungu, the Kalungu West MP, asked the government to urgently present a Bill providing for official and State burials to avoid disagreements whenever a leader in the country dies.

“This House has in the past had a lot of challenges on the determination of those supposed to get official burials and in the previous parliament, former Attorney General Peter Nyombi was brought here to lay in State. But previous parliaments have been seeking a law that governors on who should be given official or State burial,” said Ssewungu. He added that the issue of the 17-gun salute at the late Ssemogerere’s burial created an ugly scene after the widow challenged the government’s gesture. Sewungu said that with a law in place, such issues can never arise.

In his response, Government Chief Whip, Dennis Hamson Obua, said that the Ministry of Public Service was granted the mandate to work on a paper highlighting the personalities entitled to a state, official, or any other form of burial. He said that in the absence of the guiding principle, President Yoweri Museveni offered Dr. Ssemogerere an official burial on behalf of the government

Obua also undertook to present a motion to parliament on Thursday in honor of the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.

Parliament has observed a minute of silence to honor the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the former president General of the Democratic party-DP. The veteran opposition politician died on Friday last week at the age of 90 years and was laid to rest at Nattale- Nkumba, in Entebbe on Monday afternoon.

Ssemogerere contested for the presidency in 1980 and in 1996, losing to Dr. Apollo Milton Obote and Yoweri Kaguta Museveni respectively. After a decades of service, he retired from active politics in 2005 but remained a senior figure in the opposition until his death. He led the Democratic Party- DP for 25 years after replacing Benedicto Kiwanuka who was murdered in 1972.

Dr. Ssemogerere handed over the party leadership to the late John Ssebana Kizito 2005, the former Kampala City Mayor. Dr. Ssemogerere served as a Member of the Uganda Legislative Council between 1961 to 1962 and a Member of Parliament for North Mengo Constituency in the first Parliament of Uganda. After the 1980 elections whose results were contested, he opposed the use of violence to change political leadership and settled as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament during the tumultuous years of the second Obote administration between 1981 and 1985.

Ssemogerere emerged as the senior government negotiator during the 1985 peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya, which kicked off immediately after the army overthrew Obote’s government. In 1986 he joined the new government headed by President Museveni and served as Internal Affairs Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister among others. He resigned from his cabinet position in 1995 to challenge Museveni in the 1996 elections.

As MPs convened for the plenary Tuesday afternoon, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among formally communicated the demise of the veteran politician, describing him as a distinguished leader with an illustrious political and leadership career.

“The return of multi-party democracy in 2000 is attributed to the consistent advocacy by Dr. Paul Ssemogerere, among other national leaders. The country will dearly miss Dr. Ssemogerere,” said Among. The Speaker urged the Leader of Government Business in parliament and the Leader of the Opposition to consider moving a bi-partisan motion for the House to pay tribute for the distinguished service that the late Ssemogerere offered to the country.

Following her communication, Dr. Abed Bwanika, the Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP, said that they look forward to a motion for all MPs to pay tribute to Ssemogerere whom he described as a wonderful man. The former presidential candidate also said that the late Ssemogerere was an outstanding gentleman who made a huge contribution to Uganda.

Joseph Ssewungu, the Kalungu West MP, asked the government to urgently present a Bill providing for official and State burials to avoid disagreements whenever a leader in the country dies.

“This House has in the past had a lot of challenges on the determination of those supposed to get official burials and in the previous parliament, former Attorney General Peter Nyombi was brought here to lay in State. But previous parliaments have been seeking a law that governors on who should be given official or State burial,” said Ssewungu. He added that the issue of the 17-gun salute at the late Ssemogerere’s burial created an ugly scene after the widow challenged the government’s gesture. Sewungu said that with a law in place, such issues can never arise.

In his response, Government Chief Whip, Dennis Hamson Obua, said that the Ministry of Public Service was granted the mandate to work on a paper highlighting the personalities entitled to a state, official, or any other form of burial. He said that in the absence of the guiding principle, President Yoweri Museveni offered Dr. Ssemogerere an official burial on behalf of the government

Obua also undertook to present a motion to parliament on Thursday in honor of the late Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere.

Dr. Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, the Democratic Party‘s former President has died aged 90.

A close family member has confirmed that Dr. Ssemogerere who twice contested for Presidency and led DP for over 25 years died early Friday at his home in Rubaga.

Dr. Paul was born on 11th February 1932, at Bumangi, Buggala Island, in the Ssese and he was baptized on 18th February of the same year. He has been a Ugandan politician and was the leader of the Democratic Party for 25 years.

In the 1980 Elections, he was the main contender in the sharm elections which Obote won. He has been one of the main players in Ugandan politics until his retirement in 2005