Politics dominated the burial ceremony, in Kisaasi, Kampala, of former mayor Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Seya Sebaggala on October 04.
Sebaggala died just over a week ago. His burial didn’t happen on the same day he was pronounced dead, as is the case with many Muslims.
Sheikhs have explained that the rule is not cast in stone. In fact, in his will, Sebaggala had wished to be mourned for three days.
But the family decided to extend the final sendoff for more days to allow Sebaggala’s son return from abroad.
Due to the fact that Uganda is in an electoral season, politics took centre stage at the funeral ceremony. Here are some of the highlights from the funeral.
BOBI WINE: I’M THE NEW SEBAGGALA
National Unity Platform (NUP) and People Power leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine told mourners that government should remember that although Sebaggala had died, he had left him and others as the new Sebaggalas.
“If you thought Sebaggala has gone, I am here; we are here,” Bobi said.
Bobi Wine praised Sebaggala for opening the door for ghetto politicians like him.
He also said Sebaggala success in politics despite his wanting academic papers and command of the English language encouraged him that he could defeat Museveni.
NABILAH SEMPALA NAGGAYI
Nabilah Sempala Naggayi, the incumbent Kampala Woman MP, vying for the mayoral seat against Erias Lukwago of main opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), praised Sebaggala for encouraging and supporting women into politics.
The former FDC member who recently crossed to NUP and is their mayoral flag bearer, also took a swipe at the Najjanankumbi party for fighting women.
Her supporters chanted her slogans at the funeral.
LATIF SENGENDO SSEBAGALA
The Sebaggala family, meanwhile announced Latif Ssebagala would return in the race to keep his Kawempe North parliamentary seat.
Ssebagala also confirmed he would contest to retain the seat he has occupied for almost two decades now.
His party NUP has already chosen Kawempe councilor Muhammad Ssegirinya.
POOR KIVEJINJA!
NUP youths were determined to bar government officials from speaking.
Deputy Prime Minister Kirunda Kivejinja had the task of delivering President Yoweri Museveni’s speech about his former advisor.
Rowdy youths attempted to block Kivejinja from speaking.
Even when he took hold of the microphone, they heckled him.
In response, Kivejinja told them it would only take an order from him for Bobi Wine to be under arrest. They got more incensed and demanded that he sits down.
Kivejinja was not the only government official to face the wrath of NUP supporters. Museveni had sent Ambassador Hajji Abbey Walusimbi to deliver his condolence message.
The family received the Shs10m the president had sent through Walusimbi.
But they would not allow him to speak since MP Ssebagala had reportedly threatened to leave the ceremony if Walusimbi got a chance to speak.
The Kawempe North and other Sebaggala family members still believe Museveni sent Walusimbi to spy on Seya while he was in jail in the US.
