Richard Karemire, the UPDF publicist has issued a statement explaining procedures which will be followed as fallen military Gen. Kasirye Ggwanga is laid to rest tomorrow Friday at his native home in Mityana District.
Statement
It is no longer news that the country lost Maj Gen (Rtd) Kasirye Ggwanga, one of its distinguished General Officers.
He passed away on Tuesday June 9, 2020 at Nakasero Hospital after illness.
A formal and official eulogy by the UPDF will be issued tomorrow during the burial ceremony where details will be given about his long service record.
We thank members of the public who have been conveying messages of condolences and support to the family and the UPDF fraternity.
Arrangements to give Gen Kasirye Ggwanga a befitting send-off are now in advanced stages.
Burial will take place on Friday June 12, 2020, 10:00hrs, at Nkene Village, Busujju County in Mityana District.
It will be a scientific burial with a very limited number of participants comprising mostly of family members. This is in line with the preventive guidelines from government, as we deal with the COVID19 Pandemic which Gen Kasirye fearlessly fought in Mityana during his last days. The UPDF will be there to enforce them supported by other security agencies.
We do not expect any gatherings or crowds along the way. This would contravene the rules on social distance and congestion.
For our partners in the media, we know very well you all have been active covering the life of our departed General and more lots has been written after he breathed his last on Tuesday. He, many times, gave you interesting headlines and so you would wish to be part of those to send him off.
Regrettably, the current restrictions cannot allow this. It would exponentially increase the numbers. You have, in the last three months, been on the frontline sensitizing the population against COVID-19 and this is yet another occasion to show commitment to the messages we have been passing on to the population.
Therefore, to minimize on numbers, only UBC has been accredited to air live the burial ceremony and the rest can get the feed from it. The New Vision will represent the print media. We have worked out how you can get footage for your stories. This is the extent you will be represented. The country continues to focus on saving lives of Ugandans by defeating the Coronavirus.
We have, in addition, set up a platform to live stream the burial ceremony in order to be able to follow the proceedings on Facebook and YouTube. This will especially enable the participation of family and friends abroad.
Finally, to the neighbours of Gen Kasirye in Busujju and indeed all those in Mityana and Mubende Districts, we request you to bear with these arrangements where a great number of you will not be able to participate in the send-off of your dear brother, neighbour and leader.
We know you have always loved him and thank you for all the support. The situation we are in demands this. At an appropriate time, you can go and pay your last respects to him.
