The Parliament of Uganda on Sunday convened a special sitting to eulogize killed Arua Municipality legislator Hon Ibrahim Abiriga.
Described as humble and honest, Abiriga was last Friday gunned down along with his brother as he returned home in Kawanda, Wakiso District.
As flags were flying at half mast, Abiriga’s body arrived at Parliament and was taken to the floor of the house as MPs started paying tribute.
The Prime Minister of Uganda Rt Hon Ruhakana Rugunda began eulogizing Abriga;
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda: Abiriga has been a diligent leader and legislator who served Uganda with dedication and patriotism. The brutal and senseless murder of Abiriga and his younger brother on Friday 8th June was an act of cowardice carried out by evil peole. The killer of Abiriga will be hunted down and brought to justice. We must ensure such killings are fought and defeated. All of us should be vigilant at this crusade, the agents of these evil acts want to instil fear but we want to assure Ugandans that they will not succeed. Abiriga was a man who easily got along with many people, respecting the diversity of views, he was a tolerant man, he didn’t deserve the kind of brutal death that he met. Our brother was approachable, bold and stood firmly, he openly professed and taled about his love for NRM. His trademark was one way he demonstrated his love for NRM.
Leader of Opposition Winfred Kiiza: He was a brother, friend and comrade. Seeing the attendance is true testimony of who Abiriga was. In his own way, Abiriga meant a lot to all of us. He was hard to annoy. The man lying before us here, I wouldn’t want his death to be politicized. His love for NRM was always around him, in his dressing and speech. His love for Museveni was far beyond love for his party and he wouldn’t shy away from it. I found him an easy person to work with. Death has robbed us a man of a humble character.
Indeed we are called to be vigilant, but the sole responsibility lies in coffers of government. There are so many private security companies that aren’t controlled, guns are in our population, and when you compare them with joblessness… Let us all remember our brothers and sisters who have died in similar circumstances. During age limit, he asked for extension of term to seven years so that we work for our people, little did he know that he wasn’t going to finish even the five years.
Kabale Municipality MP Andrew Aja: Some of us might have disagreed with him regarding the future of this country, but I also believe there must be tolerance of all diverse opinions. Government must produce reports and accountability of Ugandans whom we have lost, we must stop rhetoric that everything is under control. Security of every Ugandan is a must. Government must produce reports of murdered Ugandans, whether famous or otherwise. Ugandans are demanding for answers. No one is safe in this country. Kidnaps, murders, rapes have become a routine. The security of every Ugandan must be guaranteed.
Elijah Okupa, Kasilo County: Colleagues, Abiriga was honest and true to his party. During the amendment (Age limit), there were people who were shy, and they continue to be shy, I think even in his grave he will remain true to his character. That was the level of simplicity of Abiriga. Can we step up our security to ensure each and every Ugandan is safe? Why would one want to kill Abiriga?
State Minister for Internal Affairs Mario Obiga Kania: Since Abiriga died, I had this difficult task of informing the President. Many of you send us messages, many physically went there, I want to thank you. Abiriga lived his life, his life spoke for itself. I don’t think I should talk about Abiriga to say who he was. He talks eloquently, open handed. The Abiriga you saw held many positions from a humble position, he wasn’t highly educated, but he believed in himself and believed even without so much education, he had talents that he would use to propel himself.
In spite of the position he held as RDC, the Abiriga who has died has died a poor man. He merely talked about the house with the loan he acquired from Parliament. He could have been corrupt, used his position to get wealth but he didn’t. Arua Municipality is a very complicated constituency, but he managed that constituency. He didn’t get votes only from NRM, but all parties. Abiriga may have died poor but you as a family, you are given a legacy to be proud of as a family.
Chris Baryomunsi, Kinkiizi East: Many people in Kanungu used to approach me to ask Abiriga to come to Kanungu. The people used Abiriga scale to gauge loyalty to NRM party. The key question running is why kill an innocent, honest Abiriga?
