How Kirunda Kivejinja will be remembered.

Kampala, Uganda – By HICGI News Agency SATURDAY DECEMBER 19 2020

Deceased: Hon Ali Kirunda Kivejinja. PHOTO/FILE/COURTESY.

Uganda’s second deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivejinja has died.

Kivejinja succumbed to Covid-19 related complications on Saturday at Mulago national referral hospital where he had been admitted for a month, according to his son Faruk Kirunda.

“It’s true he is dead. He passed away at Mulago National referral Hospital,” he said.

He had tested positive for covid-19 although he had underlying diseases like diabetes.

His relatives said he was rushed to hospital when his health conditions deteriorated due to malaria.

“It’s true he’s passed away at Mulago hospital and that is where his body is still lying as I speak now. Since he’s a politician and big public figure, we as the family are waiting on government as we can’t guarantee that the body will be in our hands,” family member, Mr Ismail Nunguli said.

He added that for that reason, much as he will be buried in Buwabe Village, Ibulanku Sub-county in Bugweri district, no date has been set for his burial.

Using social media, Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said: “We have learnt with deep sadness the passing of our elder, friend and comrade, 2nd Deputy PM Alhajji Ali Kirunda Kivejinja.”

“His passing is a huge loss to the country, of a great Pan Africanist & repository of our history and journey of social, political and Economic transformation,” the premier eulogised.

Ali Kirunda Kivejinja (born 12 June 1935 – 19 December 2020) a veteran Ugandan politician and senior presidential advisor was appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs in the Ugandan Cabinet on 6 June 2016.

Education & Political career

Kivejinja studied at the Kibuli Junior School and Busoga College Mwiri in Uganda and then took a pre-university course at Madras Christian College before obtaining a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Zoology at Delhi University on a Government of India scholarship. While in India he was treasurer of the African Students Association which had among its members Bingu wa Mutharika, John Malecela and John Mataure.

Kivejinja returned to Uganda in 1962. During the 1960s he served a political mobilizer for the Uganda People’s Congress, the ruling political party at that time.

^{Since the overthrow of the second Milton Obote regime in 1986, Kivejinja has served in several positions in the government led by President Yoweri Museveni. In 1986, he was appointed Minister of Relief and Social Rehabilitation.He has since served as Minister of Internal Affairs and Third Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda.}

^{Since August 2012 he has been made Senior Presidential Advisor for Internal Affairs to President Museveni. On 6 June 2016, he was named as the new Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs in the new Cabinet announced that day.}