Members of Parliament have this afternoon paid tribute to fallen former Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Maria Mutagamba, at a function attended by President Yoweri Museveni.
The late Mutagamba’s body arrived at Parliament at exactly 10am and was received by Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga alongside Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa.
Mutagamba, who retired from active politics as Rakai Woman MP, succumbed to cancer of the liver at Case Clinic on Saturday, where she had been rushed, after first complaining of stomach complications early this year.
Ahead of the February 2016 general elections, Mutagamba informed journalists of her retirement from active politics citing ill health.
In a rare gesture, President Museveni joined the rest of the nation to mourn the fallen ‘Miss Tourism’ as she was called by her peers at the Ministry, having spearheaded the beauty pageant during her reign.
Museveni arrived at Parliament at 12:10pm where he paid his respects, immediately held a closed day meeting with Mutagamba’s family and left immediately. He, however, declined to address journalists and was immediately whisked out of Parliament’s premises.
Top on the issues MPs are expected to discuss is the failure by Government to procure a cancer machine at Uganda Cancer Institute.
After the Parliament sitting, Mutagamba’s body will be transported to Rakai district and will be followed by a vigil at Gamba Village Kakuuto Sub-county.
She will then be laid to rest tomorrow with a mass set to be officiated by Masaka diocese prelates.
Ms Juliet Kiinyamatama, Rakai Woman MP, spoke candidly about Mutagamba, describing her as a mentor, telling journalists she is saddened by her death, given the fact that the deceased won’t have an opportunity to see the development she will bring unto the people in Rakai.
