An old Luganda adage goes “amaziga go’musajja, gaava waala” loosely translated as a man’s tears come from far.
But Sheikh Nuhu Muzaata Batte’s death has left many Sheikhs including Kibuli Supreme Mufti Sulaiman Ndirangwa doused in tears as he led final prayers for Muzaata.
A fearless, popular, comic, tough talking, orator and counsellor Muzaata’s curtain fell on Friday afternoon from IHK.
Muzaata, had been admitted at the facility for quite sometime.
His illness was kept private by hospital officials and his family.
While bedridden, Muzaata’s security was beefed up, access regulated and only a few trusted friends and relatives were allowed to see him.
He last appeared in public on November 4 years while sending off a fellow cleric Sheikh Anas Kaliisa another popular muslim scholar who died in his sleep.
At IHK, the Kibuli Muslim leadership feared their own had been poisoned, but Muzaata’s family dismissed the allegations as untrue.
What this website confirms is that Muzaata was being treated in an isolation unit, although Mufti Ndirangwa later said his colleague had been tested for COVID-19 and results showed negative.
But Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine while mourning the deceased urged Ugandans to follow SOPs “because COVID is real.”
Equally, President Yoweri Museveni while campaigning in Lugazi on Saturday said Muzaata could have died of COVID.
At Kibuli, his family said he lost battle to diabetes.
Doctors say a diabetic patient diagnosed with COVID has very thin chances of surviving.
Endless Tears
The announcement confirming the death of Muzaata, sparked off agony among Ugandans on social media as they mourned his demise.
Numerous smart phone users posted him on Whatsapp statuses, highlighting his highs and lows, his very controversial remarks in his horse voice. Indeed a lion had fallen.
A man who feared none, apart from his creator.
At Kibuli, the moment was truly defined by agony, one couldn’t control it but to tear away. And it was allowed.
Sheikh Ndirangwa all through prayers was wailing. It’s is true he lost his right hand-man.
Muzaata, is irreplaceable. In his generation he was a rare breed.
REST IN PEACE.