Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta has praised former Samia Bugwe North legislator and former 2001 presidential candidate Aggrey Siryoyi Awori describing him as a true Pan Africanist.
In a letter read by Mr Dennis Awori, a nephew to the late Awori but also former Kenya’s Ambassador to Japan and current chairman of Toyota Kenya, President Uhuru thanked Awori for the thriving enterprises in East Africa but above all the setting up of journalism school at University of Nairobi.
“He was a great leader and true Pan Africanist we appreciate he made Uganda his home. Awori is a true reflection of how East Africa should be. He grew up a network of people with a vision.We also appreciate Awori, he created thriving enterprises within the region and we shall forever treasure his contribution” President Kenyatta said.
Mr. Denis Awori led a delegation of mourners from the large Awori family in Kenya who included a Bishop from Nambale diocese. Mr. Denis Awori said as the Awori extended family, it was a sad moment for the loss of his uncle.
mourner after mourner praised Awori for his selfless contribution he made in all spheres of life. Dokolo district Woman Member of Parliament Cecile Ogwal said that whereas she is a MP, she had travelled to Bugiri to burry Awori as a long time close friend as the two have shared both family and political life. She however, said she was ashamed that despite the bashing Awori received while he crossed from Uganda People’s Congress to National Resistance Movement party, the ruling party and government didn’t bother to send a representative at his burial.
“I have come here not as an MP or government representative but i come here to stand with the family and my wife Thelma. We have lost a very valuable member of the family. Aggrey was really a dear brother. Awori was tall in everything, he was a strategic maneuver and that is how we managed NRM” Ms Ogwal said.
Adding “Aggrey is an embodiment of Africa. He got us a wife from Liberia. The young MPs taking over from us is that do everything to dismantle these borders. Aggrey was too mature for some of us, he was a great Pan Africanist and I feel bad for government that it was hard for Aggrey to cross to NRM and today nobody is here to represent government” She said.
Ms Ogwal was the only high ranking legislator and possibly government present at the burial, others being three other local Members of Parliament from Busia and Bugiri.
Mr. denis Lukaya who represented Makerere Youth for Awori 2001 praised the seasoned legislator for mentoring him and other members of the group.
“He was kind to us, he told us that as young people to alway do research on any topic or assignment to be undertaken. He further said as young people , if you get into government, do not steal”. Mr Lukaya said.
Ms Thelma Awori the widow through her son Baisama Awori thanked President Museveni for the generosity and standing with the family. Museveni contributed Shs60 million towards medical bills and Shs10 million to help in burial arrangements. Others that she appreciated are Ms Ogwal and former principal Judge Justice James Ogoola.
Ms Awori didn’t make it to bury her husband as she wasn’t well healthwise.
Busia district chairman of the elders Vincent Masiga told mourners that met Awori in 1960 and since then, they had remained friends until his death.
Departed former legislator and 2001 presidential candidate Aggrey Awori has been laid to rest at his Kibimba home in Buwuni town council in Bugiri district.
At exactly 2.10 pm, his casket was lowered in the grave that he prepared for himself by A-Plus handlers and a few of his family members while observing #Covid-19 SOPs.
Mr Awori died on Monday July 5, 2021 in a Kampala hospital where he was admitted for sometime. He has been battling sickness related to old but #Covid-19 claimed his life age. He was 82 years.
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