Kibaki mourns Kategaya
Kampala
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has sent a message of condolence to his counterpart Mr Museveni and Ugandans following the death of Eriya Kategaya at Nairobi Hospital yesterday morning.
Until his death, the late Kategaya, who died at the age of 70, according to his autobiography, was the country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs. In his message, Mr Kibaki said the death of Kategaya was not only a big loss to the Uganda government and his family but also a tragedy to many people who had found a dependable friend in him.
President Kibaki said the minister had left a huge vacuum within the government of Uganda and those he interacted with that will be hard to fill. “To everyone who knew him and had the opportunity to work and interact with him, the late Eriya was well respected as a humble man of outstanding ability,” he said.
Mr Kibaki also said the deceased would be remembered for his active role in Ugandan politics, adding that it was due to the strength of his outstanding political charisma that he was one of the longest serving cabinet ministers in the country’s political history.
“Eriya Kategaya was a longtime associate of President Yoweri Museveni from their school days in the early 1960s and served in various capacities as National Political Commissar for the NRM and government Minister,” he said.
President Kibaki added that the late Kategaya’s legacy would continue to be an inspiration to young politicians and many others he has left behind. “Indeed, as we pay homage to his departed soul, let us also celebrate his life, his achievements and dedicated service to his country,” he said.
