Leaders praise first Kigezi MP
Nathan Bisamunyu at his home in Kabale Town mid last year. PHOTO BY ROBERT MUHEREZA
What you need to know:
Various leaders in Kigezi have described the late Bisamunyu as a role model and political mentor. Bisamunyu succumbed to diabetes and hypertension at Mulago Hospital.
Kabale- Leaders is Kigezi have paid glowing tribute to the region’s first Member of Parliament in the post-independence government, Eli Nathan Bisamunyu, who died on Tuesday, aged 86.
Bisamunyu succumbed to diabetes and hypertension at Mulago, the national referral hospital. He was airlifted from his home in Kabale Town early this year to Mulago Hospital in Kampala after his health deteriorated.
Various leaders in Kigezi have described Bisamunyu as a role model and political mentor who will be missed forever.
The chairperson Kabale Parliamentary Forum and vice chairperson NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Mr David Bahati, who is also a grandson of Bisamunyu, said his grandfather had been a great inspiration to every upcoming politician in Kigezi sub-region.
“He has been guiding many of us and other upcoming politicians on how to succeed in politics. We shall miss his inspiring comments and ideas,” Mr Bahati said.
The former minister in both President Obote and President Museveni’s regimes and former chairman for Kisoro District, Dr Philemon Mateke, described the deceased as a pillar in conflict resolution and a highly trusted elder in Kigezi.
Former Health minister in Obote government Ezra Nkwasibwe said Bisamunyu was reliable, resourceful and a patriot.
Kabale Mayor Pius Ruhemurana described Bisamunyu as a true statesman that never segregated people on basis of political and religious affiliations.
The retired bishop of North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo and founder of African International Christian Ministry based in Kabale, Rt Rev Enock Kayeye, described Bisamunyu as a devoted Christian who never missed church service.
About Bisamunyu
Birth: He was born in 1928 at Kasooni-Nnozi, Mparo in current day Rukiga County in Kabale District.
Education. He started school in 1937 at Kihanga Vernacular Elementary School, a church-founded school near his home. Bisamunyu then joined Kigezi High School and later Mwiri College Busoga together with the late Apollo Milton Obote. He proceeded to Makerere College School (now Makerere University) as a student of political science, literature and history. He graduated in 1953, becoming the first graduate in Kigezi.
Political career: While at Makerere in 1952, he founded the Uganda National Congress, with the late John Babiiha and Abu Mayanja, which opened the door to his blistering future political career.
In 1962, Bisamunyu joined the legislative assembly as a representative of East Kigezi and gradually rose to the post of Deputy Speaker until 1971 when Amin abolished Parliament.
Retirement: Bisamunyu retired from public service in 1989 and lived a quiet life. In October 2003, the alumni of Kigezi High School, where Bisamunyu also was a board member, presented him an Order of Merit for distinguished service and contribution to the school.
