Parliament bids MP Logiel farewell

The body of Moroto woman MP, Anne Logiel at Christ the king church during the requiem service. PHOTO BY STEPHEN OTAGE

What you need to know:

  • Ms Logiel’s last day in Parliament started at Christ the King Church, Kampala, where the National Resistance Movement Secretary General Kasule Lumumba recounted her first encounter with the legislator.
  • While moving a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the fallen MP, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the country had lost “a strong legislator whom the country still had a lot to learn from.”

ow Parliament- Members of Parliament braved a chilly Friday morning to pay tribute to Moroto Woman legislator Annie Logiel.
Ms Logiel, the first MP to die in the 10th Parliament, succumbed to brain tumor in Copenhagen, Denmark, according to Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.
Ms Logiel’s last day in Parliament started at Christ the King Church, Kampala, where the National Resistance Movement Secretary General Kasule Lumumba recounted her first encounter with the legislator.
Ms. Lumumba described her as a “team player and somebody whose mind was ready to lead.”
“Chief mourner” and Government Chief Whip, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa informed mourners about President Museveni’s Thursday visit to the bereaved family, where he “delivered his (condolence) message personally.”
Draped in Uganda and NRM party flags, the casket arrived and a somber mood engulfed Parliament.
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, Vice President Edward Ssekandi, several Ministers and Members of Parliament paid their last respects and signed the condolence book.
Special sitting
While moving a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the fallen MP, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the country had lost “a strong legislator whom the country still had a lot to learn from.”
“She had a deep passion in improving health services in Uganda and Karamoja in particular,” said Mr Rugunda.
Leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza, who seconded the motion, described the deceased as an eager learner who was polite but focused.
“Ann (Logiel) had 106 children under scholarship program; she was quiet but steady; she was ready to learn and was not bothered about the side of politics one belonged to,” she said.
Karamoja affairs minister Eng John Byabagambi applauded the deceased for resorting to work in the sub region after school, criticizing educated Karimojong for shunning their homeland.
“Many people from Karamoja region do not go back to Karamoja after attaining education,” said Byabagambi, adding that Ms Logiel’s “very unique character” enabled her to come back home and dedicated her life to the service of Karamoja.
Nandala Mafabi (FDC, Budadiri West) challenged MPs to wholly fund the health budget rather than flying abroad when they fall sick.
“Why should we rush MPs out of Uganda when Ugandans are dying; what is in India that we cannot do here?” he asked.
Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa attacked Parliament’s critics on MPs’ burial expenditure, saying they would have had a difficult time organizing the burial activities.
“We never questioned this budget (funeral expenses), we supported the Parliamentary budget,” said Nankabirwa, who also thanked Chief of Defense Forces Gen David Muhoozi for providing a helicopter that will fly the body to Moroto on Saturday.
Speaker Kadaga described the late as courageous and said when they last interacted, Ms Logiel seemed to have prepared for any fate.
“She was very courageous…and I think by the time we separated, she expected that things would go either way,” said Ms Kadaga.
Ms Logiel will be buried tomorrow (Sunday) at Nakapelimen village, Nadunget Sub County in Moroto district.