Hundreds of mourners thronged All Saints Church Nakasero to pay their last respect to rally driver Pole Pole Wilberforce who succumbed to much dreaded Coronavirus on Tuesday evening.
He had been admitted at Entebbe Grade B hospital since December started. Doctors said was responding well to treatment.
But what threw the congregation into deep thoughts and anguish was the fact that, they couldn’t at least view his body and bid him farewell.
This when reality hit the mourners that COVID is a deadly disease which still haunts the victims in their eternal rest.
How else could friends and relatives of Pole Pole extol a picture!
COVID-19 has created anxiety, fear and suspicion among Ugandans. This could be witnessed during the funeral services Nakasero
“Selfless”
Pole Pole was always available when in need. “He made very many parties and also funerals,” said Commissioner of Electoral Commission Stephen Tashobya who spoke on behalf of friends.
Narrating his childhood memories with Pole Pole, he said the deceased has been a unifying factor among the people of Kajara- Ntungamo where he hails from.
Mr Tashobya appealed to the congregation to observe SoPs, because the virus is gradually ravaging the country.
Veteran Yona Kanyomozi, speaking as the guardian of Pole Pole said his ‘son’ was always available to people all times of life, “whether bad or good.”
Kanyomozi, a UPC leader added that he was proud to have made the rally driver what he was at a time of his demise.
“He learnt driving from a tractor, then a lorry and later went into rally. I taught him politics but he later chose a side. Although I remained in UPC he kept respecting me. He tolerated me,” he said.
Pole Pole’s brother who spoke while breaking down thanked his departed sibling for investing in social capital.
The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) also joined the motorsport family to mourn celebrated rally driver.
“We are saddened by the loss of our brother, a rally driver and staunch supporter of Motorsport. We join the family and relatives to mourn him,” Dipu Ruparelia said.
Pole Pole, 48, will be laid to rest on Thursday at his native home in Rwashamaire- Ntungamo district.
