Former Kampala mayor Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Seya Sebaggala will be laid to rest on October 04, in line with his requirement as detailed in his will.
By the time of his death, Sebaggala had sent copies of his will to his children, numbering about 20.
In the will, Sebaggala orders his family to mourn him for three days before his burial – as opposed to most Muslims who are laid to rest on the same day they pass on.
In July, Sebaggala told Buganda radio CBS FM’s Gyenvudde show that he had already bought the three pieces of cloth he would want his body to be wrapped in.
He also directed his children not to squander the wealth he has bequeathed to them.
The first Ugandan to open up a supermarket in Kampala advised his children to emulate him and his brothers who have refused to sell the 27 acres of land their grandfather Shaban Sebaggala left for them in Kisaasi.
News of Sebaggala’s death broke September 26 morning. Several prominent people have been paying tribute to him.
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, his successor at the helm of Kampala City, said he was “saddened to learn of the demise of my immediate predecessor at City Hall and elder, His Worship Alhaji Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala. My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and all Ugandans.”
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga said Sebaggala had made his “contribution to Uganda in the various positions of leadership you held. You have run your race and will be dearly missed.”
Main opposition political party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) hailed the “seasoned politician” for his participation “in shaping the geopolitical environment that Uganda operates in today.”
Norbert Mao, the man who beat Sebaggala in 2010 to become Democratic Party (DP) president, mourned the wealthy politician.
In Norbert Mao’s Words…
We are saddened by the death of Al Hajji Nasser Ntege Ssebaggala, former Mayor of Kampala City. We convey our condolences to you his family and indeed to the entire country upon this great loss.
We pay tribute to the late Haji Ssebaggala for his business acumen which saw him rise to be one of Uganda’s most enterprising and successful businessmen.
We in the Democratic Party also celebrate his contribution in energizing the party at a time when parties were virtually banned.
Haji Ssebaggala was a formidable Democrat who inspired and supported the Uganda Young Democrats in all their activities.
Hajji Ssebaggala’s brand of politics endeared him to those Frantz Fanon referred to as “the wretched of the earth”.
He mobilized the urban poor with a clear message of hope and inspired them to aspire to and fight for a better life. He was a true champion of the downtrodden commonly known as “omuntu wa wansi.”
Even when he left the Democratic Party he remained friendly and supportive to the cause of Truth and Justice.
There’s no better tribute we can give to Hajji Ssebaggala than to strive for an inclusive economy where no citizen is left behind.
May Allah (SWT) judge him with Mercy as he approaches the Throne of Grace.”
