The fiends of the late prof.Apollo Nsibambi including the current Uganda Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda and the former prime ministers have described Prof. Apollo Nsibambi as a true democrat who advocated for justice.
Dr.Rugunda described him as freeman who loved Uganda and served in different capacities, most importantly was in incorruptible character Uganda ever had.
Ruhakana Rugunda informed Parliament yesterday that the postmortem report had indicated that Nsibambi died of pulmonary embolism.
This occurs when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery in the lung, blocking blood flow to part of the lung.
The Blood clots most often originate in the legs and travel up through the right side of the heart and into the lungs.
MPs Kasule Robert (Nansana Municipality), Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) and John Byabagambe said they remember the late Nsibambi mainly for his wise council that changed their political life.
“When i joined Parliament, I was young and during one of the sessions, I raised a point of order. I asked whether it was in order for the Prime Minister (Nsibambi) to turn this House into a theater. Three days later he called me in his office and said I either chose Politics of decency or other wide. Since that day my politics changed because of him,” Katuntu said.
He however regretted having not visited him when he (Nsibambi) asked him to so. “He called me on phone and asked me to go and see him. Unfortunately I did not. That will haunt me forever because I will never know what he wanted to tell me,” he added.
Byabagambe said, “As a back bencher, I was so stubborn. He called me and said young man, tame your tongue. Since then, my life changed.”
Mary Karoro Okurut (Bushenyi) urged the family members to focus on the wonderful memory that the late professor left behind sorrow.
“Let the wonderful memory of the professor help u look beyond sorrow to a bright tomorrow. He stood tall in everything. His sense of humor was not cheap. He will also be remembered for being a gender sensitive leader who demanded to know why Makerere University top officials were all men,” she said.
Moses Kasibante said the country has lost a leader, an icon that will be greatly missed. “He was down to earth. He would always find time even to attend village meetings and contribute to the discussions. One day I asked him why he retired. He said retiring was part of leadership,’ he said.
Citing the example of retired Prime Minister Kintu Musoke, MP Joseph Ssewungu reminded the government to give them their benefits before they die.
Asuman Basalirwa reminded leaders not to fear retiring saying it was a honorable thing.
“Leaders here please do not fear to retire because as you can see, one can retire and still leave a dignified life and be still consulted,” he said.
MP Robert Kyagulanyi, described him as a dignified and distinguished statesman who was never corrupt although he served “under a corrupt regime”.
“He was not power hungry unlike some of the leaders as he was always castigating others to retire,” he said.
Ronald Kibule, state minister for water remembered him as a family man and a time keeper. “ At his wedding, he asked the presiding bishop to go with the wedding and not wait for the president. He said the president does not keep time. The president for sure came later and joined the function in the middle,” he said sending members into laughter
