Former minister Wanume Kibedi’s burial set for Saturday
KAMPALA
The burial of late former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joshua Wanume Kibedi has been set for Saturday.
According to a programme released by the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Al Haji Ally Kirunda Kivejinja Monday, Mr Kibedi is to be laid to rest at his home in Nabitende Village, off Namalemba trading centre, 10km on the Iganga-Tirinyi highway.
Mr Wanume Kibedi died on June 13th at St. Thomas Hospital in London of complications arising from rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the programme, the body of Mr Kibedi for whom a memorial service was held at Waterloo on Monday evening will arrive at Entebbe International Airport along with members of the deceased’s family aboard an Emirates Airlines flight at 12.50pm on Wednesday.
A funeral service is scheduled to be held at All Saints Church Nakasero, in Kampala on Thursday beginning at 10 am.
Another service is scheduled to be held at Christ’s Cathedral Bugembe on Friday beginning at 10 a.m. before the body is transported to Nabitende village for an overnight vigil and burial the following day.
President Yoweri Museveni who facilitated the repatriation of the remains of the late former Minister is expected to be the Chief mourner.
The late Joshua Wanume Kibedi became the youngest Foreign Affairs Minister of Uganda when his brother-in-law, former president Idi Amin Dada appointed him to head the Foreign Affairs docket.
In April 1973, Mr Kibedi who was at the time attending an Organization of African Unity (OAU) conference meeting of Minsters in Ghana announced his resignation and fled into exile in Britain after it emerged that president Amin had been responsible for the murder of his Uncle, former Obote I Minister, and Chairman of UPC in Busoga, Shaban Nkutu.
He was to later actively participate in activities aimed at causing regime change in Uganda.
He was also an activist in the NRM’s external wing during the 1981-1986 bush war
He served as Uganda’s Ambassador to the United Nations during the early days of the NRM government. His last government post was that of Chairman of the Immigration and Citizenship Control Board.
