Muslims seek Ambassador Kisambira, Galiwango replacements

The Muslim fraternity, which is still mourning the death of two Muslim envoys, has asked President Museveni to appoint fellow Muslims to replace them.

In January, Uganda’s High Commissioner to Kenya and Seychelles, Mr Hassan Galiwango, succumbed to heart failure in Nairobi, while his Iran counterpart, Muhammad Tezikuba Kisambira,75, passed away on August 4 in Tehran.

The call was made by the deputy head of Mission Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Suleiman Gugwa, during the burial of Ambassador Kisambira at Bulopa Village, Bulopa Sub County in Kamuli District on Sunday.

“We have lost two Ambassadors; Hassan Galiwango (Kenya) and Muhammad Kisambira (Iran), all of them Muslims and yet we are few; so, we request Mzee (Museveni) to still think about us and replace them with Muslims,” Ambassador Gugwa, who was backed by Al Haji Abdul Nadduli and Ms Salaam Musumba, said.

Al Hajji Naduli is the former minister without portfolio, while Ms Musumba is the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Vice Chairman for Eastern.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a message signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, which was delivered by Mr Philip Odida, said the deceased has greatly contributed to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Uganda and Iran for the mutual benefit of our respective people.

“The ministry, therefore, greatly appreciates the contribution made by the late Ambassador Muhammad Kisambira in promoting Uganda’s interests in Iran and all countries accredited under Tehran Mission,” Mr Bagiire said.

The Ministry added that the deceased served as Head of Mission, in Tehran between 2020 and 2023 and his service was characterised by commitment, dignity, loyalty, patriotism, diligence, humility and unquestionable integrity

Ambassador Moses Kizige, Uganda’s envoy to Russia, described the deceased as a “workaholic and go-getter” who stood for Islam and Busoga as a region, often making daring and bitter truths that shaped and guided development and unity.

After the burial, the family, during a meeting with Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community (EAC) Affairs, asked the government for support to the children.

They cited Ms Asia Nakayima, a student of Biomedical Science at the University of Pakistan and Mr Naïf Kisambira, whose contract as a Business Liaison Officer at the Tehran Embassy expired.

“Haji Kisambira has been shouldering many responsibilities and ensuring children, including vulnerable ones, get education,” Ms Hajira Naikoba, the widow, said.

She added: “We request to meet Mzee (Museveni) and thank him for standing with us and to also seek his hand in supporting the family to fill the huge gap left by the deceased.”

Ambassador Kisambira is survived by a widow and 24 children.

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