The late Dr. William Muguruka Sekyewunda
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The government of Uganda has announced that the late Dr. William Muguruka Sekyewunda, a former Member of Parliament for Bundibugyo District, will be accorded an Official Burial, in recognition of his distinguished service to the country as a legislator, medical doctor, educator and community leader.
President Yoweri Museveni directed that the former legislator be accorded the state honour in accordance with Article 99 of the Constitution, with the government describing him as an illustrious leader whose legacy of patriotism, integrity and public service inspired generations of Ugandans.
Announcing the government’s decision on Wednesday, the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, said the official burial was in recognition of Dr. Muguruka’s outstanding contribution to Uganda throughout his decades of public service.
“The Government of Uganda sincerely commiserates with the bereaved family, the NRM leadership, the people of Rwenzori Sub-Region and all Ugandans upon the loss of an illustrious leader and dedicated citizen,” Babalanda said.
She added that Dr. Muguruka “will be deeply missed not only by those who knew him, worked with him, and were led by him, but also by generations of Ugandans who drew inspiration from his exemplary leadership and political career.”
Babalanda further announced that President Museveni had directed that the former MP be accorded an Official Burial, saying the decision was made in recognition of his dedicated service to the nation.
To oversee the state funeral arrangements, the government has constituted a hybrid National Organising Committee chaired by Babalanda, with representatives from the deceased’s family serving alongside government officials to coordinate the burial programme.
According to the official programme, the funeral activities commenced on Wednesday, July 29, with the body leaving Bundibugyo for a funeral home in Fort Portal City.
On Thursday, July 30, Bundibugyo District will hold an extraordinary council session in honour of the late statesman before an official vigil is conducted at his ancestral home near Hakitengya Polytechnic in Tokwe Sub-county.
The final funeral rites will take place on Friday, July 31, beginning with eulogies from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Hakitengya Polytechnic Grounds. A funeral service will follow before the burial at his ancestral home in Hakitengya, Tokwe Sub-county, Bundibugyo District.
Born on March 22, 1949, in Hakitengya Parish, Tokwe Sub-county, Dr. Muguruka pursued his education at Bugombwa Primary School and Nyakasura School before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery from Makerere University in 1976. He later obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Cardiff University in Wales in 2011.
His professional career began at Kilembe Hospital before he entered politics in 1980 as the directly elected Member of Parliament for Bundibugyo District, serving in Uganda’s Fourth Parliament until 1985. He also worked at the Mulago Hospital Cancer Institute, lectured at Kampala International University, served on the Bundibugyo District Service Commission, and was an elder and Head of Laity at Bugombwa Catholic Parish.
The government described Dr. Muguruka’s life as one marked by unwavering commitment to public service, noting that throughout his career as a medical practitioner, politician, teacher, church leader and civil society activist, he consistently demonstrated integrity, patriotism and dedication to Uganda. Those qualities, Babalanda said, are the foundation upon which the government decided to honour him with an Official Burial
