The government has accorded the former Democratic Party (DP) President General John Ssebaana Kizito an official burial in memory of his historical contribution to the development of Uganda before and after Independence.
Ssebaana Kizito succumbed to a stroke at Nakasero Hospital after spending two weeks in intensive care. The stroke affected his brain and his right side of the body.
Meanwhile DP Publicity Secretary Kenneth Paul Kakande, has said the party is mourning and celebrating the life of the late Ssebaana Kizito and has established a burial coordinating committee headed by MP Medadi Lubega Ssegona.
“He initiated a peaceful transition of power from people born before to those born after the Independence,” Kakande said.
Since Independence Ssebaana served in almost all successive governments, and had earlier represented Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for 10 years starting from 1967 -1977. He also served as Mayor of Kampala.
Ssebaana, the first Ugandan to pursue a master’s degree in arts at the University of Oregon in USA, together with his business associate Joseph William Kiwanuka, set up the first private insurance company in Uganda, known as Statewide Insurance Company of Uganda (SWICO).
Burial arrangements
Today, Ssebaana’s body lay in state in Parliament, after which there will night vigil at his home in Kansanga.
On Friday from 8:00 am there will be a memorial mass led by the Catholic Archbishop of Kampala Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga at Statewide Insurance Company of Uganda (SWICO) headquarters on Sure House along Bombo road, and thereafter a memorial service will be held in his honour at Namirembe Cathedral.
Ssebaana’s cortege will then proceed to Mpande, Kalule Luweero district where he will be laid to rest on Saturday.
