KIRUHURA – President Yoweri Museveni has described Hezron Kakuyo, the deceased father of Ms Allen Kagina, the UNRA executive director, as one of the patriotic leaders Uganda has ever had.
In a condolence message delivered by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah at the burial in Kikatsi, Kiruhura District, on Saturday, Mr Museveni said Kakuyo was hard-working, a principled man whose words matched his actions, promoted unity and lived as a pillar and a person of enormous influence.
“Where ever he went he left indelible footprints, I call upon others to emulate him. He served the interest of God and he served the interest of humanity. That’s why he has brought all these people here,” Mr Museveni’s message read.
Kakuyo, who is also the father-in-law to Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, died of a heart attack on February 18 at the age of 93.
Kakuyo served in the King Africa Rifles during the Second World War and worked as medical assistant and administrator in Kabale, Rukungiri Masindi, Kasese, Tororo, Jinja and Busoga Province.
Dr Rugunda said as learners at Kigezi High School they were mesmerized by Kakuyo’s smartness when they first met him in Kabale where he worked as a medical assistant.
Dr Rugunda added, “He united people removing (tendencies of) tribe and region from people of Kigezi, we thank him for his contribution.”
He further said that Kakuyo was a good example of genuine friendship, genuine example interms of working for the government and an example that one can live a good life after retirement.
Businessman James Musinguzi Garuga said Kakuyo established school infrastructure in Kanungu district and helped many unprivileged young people to go to school when he worked as Saza Chief in the area. Ms Kagina said their father cherished peace, loved deeply, was deeply spiritual, patient and disciplined.
Kakuyo trained as a medical assistant at Masaka Medical Training Centre, later studied public and social administration in Britain.
