Tears, pain as MPs praise Namaganda

Parliament - Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and other mourners eulogised Bukomansimbi Woman legislator Susan Namaganda as “quiet and calm” but “pleasant and principled” with a passion for agriculture.

At an emotional tribute in Parliament that was graced by presidential aspirants Joseph Mabirizi and Abed Bwanika, legislators led by Mr Sam Otada (Indep, Kibanda) asked those vying for presidency in the 2016 elections to allocate at least 10 per cent of the budget to the agriculture sector in memory of Ms Namaganda – the fresh-faced champion of the fair prices for agriculture produce.

“I visited Bukomansimbi and I was touched by her passion for agriculture and the commitment she had in ensuring that the coffee industry is revived and. She advocated farmers to get fair prices from their produce. She will greatly be missed in the House,” Ms Kadaga said.

As his wife’s body lay in state, the face of Mr Mukasa Mbidde, a member of East African Legislative Assembly, was a mask of grief.

Mr Mbidde struggled to hold back tears as he looked at the coffin of his wife, while clasping the hand of his best man, Mr Haruna Kasolo (Kyotera County MP). Ms Kadaga and other mourners struggled to control tears as they hugged Mr Mbidde.

Namaganda died in a car accident on Kampala-Masaka road last week. She is survived by three children; the youngest said to be seven months old. She is the 10th MP to die in the 9th Parliament.

Dr Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe) urged government to make Masaka road and all other roads (at least 40km from the city), dual carriage as a measure to stop the carnage on the roads.
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda moved a bipartisan motion to pay tribute to the late MP.

“She was just 31, full of energy and full of determination. She was a good role model to the young people and her death is a big loss to the country,” Dr Rugunda said.
State minister for Primary Education John Chrysostom Muyingo said Namaganda had a unique approach to issues.

“She was not an extremist,” Dr Muyingo said. “It’s high time we amended the traffic laws so that we look at the curriculum of the driving schools so as to stop the carnage on our roads.”

Ms Cecilia Ogwal, standing in for the Leader of Opposition, eulogised the late for her “calmness, composure and dedication”.

Ms Ogwal promised to advance Namaganda’s passion for the revival of cooperatives and establishment of an agriculture bank.

“As the Opposition, when elected in 2016, we shall prioritise the agriculture sector and the youth will not be spoilt with cheap cash (handouts) but will be equipped with tools for wealth creation,” Ms Ogwal said.

Mr Mathias Nsubuga, the DP secretary general, described the late as a good leader who walked in the footsteps of the late Benedicto Kiwanuka, Uganda’s first premier, former Chief Justice and founding DP president.

Mr Nsubuga said in 1961, the late Kiwanuka, a son of Bukomansimbi, increased the prices of agriculture produce from 55 cents to Shs1.55 and that it’s not surprising that Namaganda was nicknamed bbeeyi ya birime (better produce prices).

Although Ms Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality) demanded a full investigation into Namaganda’s death, Dr Rugunda said she died of “multiple injuries and fractures” she sustained in the car accident.

The late Namaganda is set to be laid to rest tomorrow in Kawoko, Bukomansimbi District.

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