Nations get into trouble when elders become timid - Mathias Mpuuga

Kanyomozi died on August 28, 2022, aged 81. He was a Member of Parliament between 1980 and 1985, representing Bushenyi South, he was also Minister of Cooperatives and Marketing during this period.

Kanyomozi later represented Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly between 2001 and 2006.

Addressing mourners at the deceased’s funeral at Rwashamaire in Ntungamo district, Mpuuga eulogised Kanyomozi as a forthright leader.

“Nations get into trouble when elders become timid or complacent and not confident enough to speak out. In him, we had a very confident citizen who would speak out on the challenges of the day and shared them with all and sundry,” Mpuuga said.

He said Uganda’s mounting political problems can be cratered by elders connecting with the young in order to reap generational gains for the country.

“I would like to invite all of you senior citizens not to retreat; Sir Richard Kaijuka, it is a long sabbatical, speak out. Hon. Amanya Mushega, please return to the fold, we need you back to occupy this vacuum so that the country can speak. Generations need to speak to each other so that the space is narrowed,” Mpuuga said.

Kaijuka and Mushega, both present at the burial, are former cabinet ministers who dabbled with opposition politics by temporary consorting with the opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change.

In a message read by the minister for Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, President Museveni praised the late Kanyomozi as a patriot.