Ugandans continue to mourn and send condolences to the family of late Meddie Kaggwa, who was the Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) and was at the forefront of defending the rights of Ugandans in all ways possible.
News of the passing of Dr Meddie Kaggwa broke Wednesday morning, creating a somber mood among staff at UHRC head office in Kampala.
Kaggwa, 64, died after reportedly collapsing in his car on the way to work this morning. He was pronounced dead by doctors at Case Hospital where he was rushed on Wednesday morning on basic life support.
“Med Kaggwa was brought here by a doctor who found him lying unconscious in his car at Mulago roundabout. He arrived here at 7:55am. We worked tirelessly but at 9:00 am, he breathed his last. The cause of his death is not known yet,” Dr. Patrick Kaliika, Director of Case Hospital said.
But the family has reported he was on hypertensive on treatment.
Officials at the UHRC confirmed the development saying that he collapsed while driving his official car around Mulago.
The officials said that Kaggwa was driving himself in the UHRC official vehicle on Wednesday morning at about 7.30am.
His car was broken into by standers as it was locked. He was found convulsing and unresponsive. Doctors at Case Hospital said he was unresponsive after arriving there despite efforts to resuscitate him.
A number of politicians and others members of the public continue to mourn the late lawyer and former legislator.
“OMG! Another outrightly “strange” high profile death. Let’s now wait for versions of what (could have) happened. Hon Medi Kaggwa has been a humble, self-effacing &respectful public servant. My thoughts and prayers go to his family &friends. Inna lillahi wa Inna illahi raj’un,” said veteran politician Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye on his Twitter habdle.
The President of opposition political party Forum for Democratric Change Patrick Amuriat upon learning of Kaggwa’s death said the late was objective as much as he served the government, hardworking and peaceful officer asking all Ugandans embrace his good deeds.
The UPDF Spokesperson, Brig.Richard Karemire on his Twitter handle said: “The UPDF fraternity conveys its condolonces to the family and colleagues of the late Dr. Meddy Kaggwa. We on many occassions worked closely with his office and salute his contribution towards entrenching constitutionalism and the rule of law in the country. Rest in peace.”
Yesterday Kaggwa made a presentation before the Police council on the status and observance of human rights.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) is among the institutions that were first to learn of Kaggwa’s demise and wished his soul to rest in peace. “@ug_lawsociety informs you of the death of our member Advocate Med Kaggwa, the Chairperson of the @UHRC UGANDA which occurred today morning. Burial arrangements will be communicated to you later. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
“Shocker. Rest In Peace my friend Med Kaggwa. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un!,” Crispin Kaheru, former coordinator of CCEDU said on his Twitter handle.
Other MPs including Allan Sewanyana and Latif Sebaggala praised the late for his contribution in the fight against the abuse of human rights in Uganda, though Sewanyana said his office was not empowered enough to do its work.
