Mourners eulogise former AG Nyombi for hard work

Remembered. Left to Right: MPs Cecilia Ogwal, Ruth Nankabirwa, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and Usuk County MP Peter Ogwang pay their last respects to the casket containing the remains of Peter Nyombi at Parliament yesterday. PHOTO BY RACHEL MABALA

What you need to know:

  • Tribute. The former chief government legal advisor was pronounced dead on Sunday evening at SAS Clinic in Kampala.

Kampala. It was a sombre mood yesterday as mourners eulogised former Attorney General Peter Nyombi as a religious man and legal icon who cherished integrity and honesty in his work.
St Paul’s Cathedral, Namirembe, yesterday filled to capacity as mourners from all walks of life praised Nyombi, 64, the proprietor of M/s Nyombi and Company Advocates, as a father, caretaker, teacher, and moralist who lived a faithful life.
Among the mourners were both private and government lawyers led by the Solicitor General, Mr Francis Atoke, politicians, religious leaders and residents of Nakasongola District who gave both verbal and written condolence messages.
The former chief government legal advisor was pronounced dead on Sunday evening at SAS Clinic in Kampala where he had been taken after collapsing at a family gathering at his young brother Henry Mayega’s home in Ntinda, Nakawa Division. Mr Mayega is Uganda’s Ambassador to China.
The widow, Ms Juliana Nyombi, said her husband succumbed to heart-related complications, which were diagnosed eight years ago but two weeks back, he developed a cough.
“He was a husband for 33 years, father and good lawyer. He worked with integrity and truthfulness; the greatest provider to me and my children,” said the widow.
The Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University, the Rev Can John Ssenyonyi, a brother to the deceased, praised him for his stewardship and mentorship.
“We have been together for the bigger part of life and we thank God for the life of Peter (Nyombi). But we do not have enough time to exhaust all we can say about him because he has been instrumental in the church, family and the country as a whole,” said Rev Can Ssenyonyi. Mr Mayega used the celebration of his brother’s life to confess salvation.
“In honour of my brother, I have decided to convert to Jesus. I have today known that Jesus has authority over my life,” he said.
Justice Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire said the death of Nyombi is a great loss to the legal fraternity and the country at large.
The NRM Chief Whip, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, described Nyombi as a hard worker at all levels who stood firm for the right.