A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE MOURN BRIG. MAYOMBO AT KOLOLO AIRSTRIP

THOUSANDS of mourners, including army officers, Ugandan and foreign dignitaries, joined the family of the late Noble Mayombo yesterday in prayers at Kololo Airstrip. Delegations from Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the East African Community and South Africa travelled all the way to Kampala to pay their last respects to the permanent secretary of defence and former Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI). Diplomats from the US, the European Union, Arab countries and other African states were also present. In a written message, read out by the Prime Minster, Sudan President Omar Bashir said Mayombo’s death was a great loss to Uganda and Africa. “He was a loyal army officer and a pan-Africanist.” “We have gathered here as a family to bid farewell to one of our own young sons, who has died a premature death,” said Mrs. Janet Museveni, who represented the first family. “Life is truly a journey. He was generous with his time during his life journey and that is why he is being mourned by people from near and far. People are standing here and testifying for you in your absence because you lived an exemplary life. We shall miss you.” Local Government minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire said he knew Mayombo since 1983. “I worked with him during the problems in Congo. He is a gallant soldier, fast decision maker and a pan-Africanist. I will not let you down,” Otafiire vowed. Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi called the deceased “a bright lawyer, a distinguished Member of Parliament, a decisive permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence, an effective head of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence and chairman of the Board of The New Vision.” On behalf of his friends, Col. James Mugira, who heads the tanks unit of the UPDF, gave a moving testimony about their 25 years of friendship, sharing classes from high school up to university, joining the NRA, State House and CMI together. “He lived a short but impact-full life. He was full of energy and brain power. He was painstakingly meticulous, a consummate mobiliser and a trusted friend.” The Chief of Defence Forces, Lt. Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, announced that Mayombo would be post-humously awarded medals for his services. “We are here to celebrate his catalogue of achievements. He was dedicated, hardworking, had a sense of purpose, steadfast, loyal and gallant,” Nyakairima said. Meanwhile, a trust fund, initiated by The New Vision, has been set up to assist Mayombo’s children in their education. The New Vision’s chief executive officer, Robert Kabushenga, announced that the newspaper had contributed sh5m. He said other members of the interim committee of the fund were Robert Mwesigwa, Tayebwa Katurebe and Stephen Kashaija. Kabushenga also announced that the Government of South Sudan had contributed $10,000 (sh17m) to the fund, MPs sh7.5m, the Inspector General of Police sh3m, the National Enterprise Corporation sh2.5m, Picfare sh2.1m and Ntare Old Boys Association sh1m. The prayers at Kololo, led by Bishop Zac Niringiye, raised another sh5m in offertory. The function lasted up to 3:00pm, after which his body was flown in a UPDF helicopter to Fort Portal.