Rwenzururu Queen mother was an icon of peace —Museveni

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni has described the deceased Rwenzururu Queen Mother Christine Biira Mukirania as an icon peace who worked tirelessly for the stability of the Rwenzori region.

Mukirania succumbed to hypertension and diabetes on Tuesday at Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese town.

During the funeral held on Sunday at Izahura Primary School in Bundibugyo, Museveni, in his speech delivered by Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi, said the queen mother had played a key role in the transformation of not only Rwenzori region but also the entire country.

He comforted the bereaved family and urged the Rwenzururu Royal Family to stand strong amidst the challenging times of losing a pillar in the queen mother.

Museveni said Mukirania always envisaged a peaceful society and thus worked towards ensuring that all the ethnicities within the Rwenzori Sub region peacefully co-exist.

Museveni, who described the deceased as her sister, asserted that Mukirania’s contribution to the country is immense towards the socio-political stability of the area. He asked the royal family to carry forward some of the developmental projects that the deceased had initiated.

According to Museveni, the queen mother lived an exemplary life that inspired and continues to inspire many more people to become better and work harder for their personal development.

Museveni also appealed to leaders and all people within the Rwenzururu Kingdom to emulate her example and become ambassadors for the development to flourish in this area.

Busongora South MP Jackson Mbaju Kathika described the deceased as a mother of entire Rwenzururu who sacrificed herself for the sake of justice of the Bakonzo people.

Kathika said the old woman had been an inspiration for better governance having actively participated and spearheaded the Rwenzururu Movement rebellion.

Zebedee Masereka, the Rtd Bishop of South Rwenzori Diocese described Ms Mukirania as a strong woman who withstood the harsh conditions in the bush to protect her family.

Masereka, who said the deceased had committed her life, God, urged women to use her as an example to stay in thick and thin for the sake of their families.

He added that despite the pain that she has been experiencing owing to her ill health, she remained committed to the church and to God.

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