Namere Defends Local Government PS Kumumanya as Calls Grow to Shorten Burial Ceremonies
The bishop said every person has a unique brand, purpose, mission and season in life.
Ntungamo:The Minister of State for Local Government, Justin Namere, has urged civil and political leaders to stop blaming the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Ben Kumumanya, and President Yoweri Museveni for wrongdoing committed by individual officials.
Namere was speaking at the burial of the late Mukyara Juliet Jonah Batebekyera, mother of PS Kumumanya, in Ibaare Omungyenyi, Rubaare Sub-county in Ntungamo District.
The minister said leaders responsible for misconduct should be held accountable instead of innocent leaders being victimized for the actions of others.
“Those responsible for misconduct should be held accountable without victimizing innocent leaders,” Namere said.
He commended the late Juliet Jonah Batebekyera for raising a trustworthy, patriotic and hardworking son who has dedicated himself to serving the country.
Namere backs debate on burial ceremonies
Namere also said he would meet Lay Canon John Wycliffe Karazaarwe to discuss his proposal to change the culture surrounding burial ceremonies.
Karazaarwe, the Emeritus LCV Chairperson of Ntungamo District, called on the government and Parliament to consider legislation aimed at reducing the amount of time spent at burial ceremonies.
Karazaarwe argued that lengthy burial ceremonies affect productivity, with mourners and leaders spending several hours at ceremonies while neglecting other responsibilities.
He apologized to Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe and other dignitaries for the time spent at the burial, saying some leaders had other engagements, including the East Africa Revival Evangelical Conference at St James Ruharo.
Karazaarwe said he joined local government in 1993 during the decentralization era and urged Minister Namere and Members of Parliament to consider establishing a binding framework regulating the length of burial ceremonies.
He proposed that speeches could instead be submitted in writing and read by the master of ceremonies to save time.
“For me, Karazaarwe, I like order and calmness, but spending a lot of time on burial ceremonies… something should change,” he said.
Namere said although he disagreed with some of Karazaarwe’s views, he preferred to discuss them privately. “I will visit Karazaarwe and we shall discuss this over a cup of tea,” Namere said.
Family praised for raising national servants
Rushenyi County Member of Parliament Naomi Kabasharira commended the families of the late Lay Canon Erica Batebekyera and Juliet Jonah Batebekyera for raising children of substance who have gone on to serve the country.
The late Juliet’s children, led by PS Ben Kumumanya, described their mother as a saved, generous, devoted and exemplary woman who left behind a strong legacy.
Kumumanya thanked South Ankole Diocesan Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe and Bishop Emeritus Patrick Tugume for their support and comfort to the family during the difficult period.
While comforting mourners, Bishop Ahimbisibwe urged them to understand their individual “brand,” saying the late Juliet Batebekyera had left behind a positive legacy.
The bishop said every person has a unique brand, purpose, mission and season in life.
He was assisted by Bishop Emeritus Patrick Tugume during the burial service.
The late Mukyara Juliet Jonah Batebekyera was aged 93 and survived by children and grandchildren.
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