Ex-Foreign Affairs minister Odaka eulogised
Mourners support Margaret Odaka (C) widow of Sam Odaka, a former Foreign Affairs minister in Milton Obote government, at All Saints Nakasero in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY STEPHEN WANDERA
KAMPALA.
Hundreds of mourners, including senior government officials and former leaders in Milton Obote’s regime thronged All Saints Cathedral in Kampala to attend the requiem service for former Foreign Affairs minister Samuel Ngude Odaka.
Born in 1929, Odaka died of kidney failure at International Hospital, Kampala on Tuesday morning.
Before his death, Odaka suffered from multiple organ complications and got two cardiac arrests.
Former prime minister Apolo Nsibambi described the deceased as “generous, diplomatic and exemplary nationalist, who was non-sectarian”.
Mr Nsibambi also praised the deceased politician for being true and loyal to his religion.
“Although he was a Samia from Busia, he married a Muganda and helped in bringing ethnic groups together. Inter-tribal marriages like Odaka’s enhanced a trans-ethnic integration,” said Mr Nsibambi.
Odaka’s brother Emmanuel Mukanga applauded his late brother for being honest and committed to his values.
The deceased’s children, led by Ms Julia Mundawarara, said they will miss their father’s “comforting and warm character”.
They said their late father taught them how to be “collectively opinionated and independent”
Odaka served as Foreign Affairs minister in the Milton Obote I regime and later Planning and Economic Development minister in the Obote II administration.
As Foreign Affairs minister, Odaka was part of the country’s delegation in high level discourse in Addis Ababa in the build up to the formation of the Organisation for African Unity in 1963.
Family
Samuel Ngude Odaka is survived by wife, Margaret Namwanje Kavuma Odaka, four daughters and five grandchildren. He will be laid to rest on Saturday in Busia District.
