Ssembabule Hails Former Minister Sam Kuteesa for Transforming District

By our reporter

Residents of Ssembabule have praised the legacy left by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kuteesa in their District in politics and in developing their area.

They said this at a thanksgiving function organized to thank him for what he has done for them, which was held at the district grounds, where different people spoke highly of his good deeds.

They went as far as naming a road after him called 'Sam Kuteesa Road' as well as naming a building at the district headquarter after him, and they gave him various gifts including 12 cows which they collected from the 17 sub-counties that make up Ssembabule and other things.

Almost everyone who got the microphone praised him for the service he has rendered in developing Ssembabule including starting their District which they are proud of, building them schools, roads, churches and mosques as well as grooming various people in politics and other things.

This thanksgiving was led by Rev. Can. Enock Muhanguzi who urged people to always have a good legacy they will be remembered for as well as being truthful, taking Kuteesa's example who has been a good example to Ssembabule.

The head of the organizing committee for this function, Joseph Barigye, said that many leaders have always requested this function to thank Kuteesa but he refused because they were in an election period where different people could take it badly, but now that politics is over he has agreed.

Uganda's Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations in Switzerland, Arthur Kafeero who once worked with Kuteesa in this organization, praised him saying he has left a strong legacy in Uganda's politics especially at the international level because of his expertise and exposure and his dedication to service without self-interest.

The Chairperson of this District, Patrick Nkalubo described him as a leader who does not segregate and who has helped a lot in developing Ssembabule and said that in appreciation, they passed a resolution in their council to name a road and a building after him to be remembered forever.

The NRM Chairperson in Ssembabule Major General Phinehas Katirima who succeeded Kuteesa in this position which he held for 20 years, described him as an exemplary leader, a powerful resident and a special politician who has helped the people of Ssembabule and the whole world a lot.

Sam Kuteesa, who was accompanied by his wife Judith Kuteesa as well as his children led by Shartis Musherure, said that what they did was great to see Ssembabule look as it does now.

He said that they cleared the bush to turn it into the Ssembabule that is seen today at a time when it was made a District because there was not even a road, secondary schools and grass-thatched churches were what you would see but now it has become a light.

He thanked all those he worked with to start this District and said that they did this together and without any wrangling and thus urged the current leaders to be truthful if they are to be remembered as useful people.

He thanked all those who have been with him during his time in Ssembabule politics and thanked those who organized the function to thank him for what he has done while he is still alive.

Sam Kuteesa was born in 1949 in Ssembabule when it was still part of Masaka. He was Member of Parliament for Ssembabule and Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the United Nations General Assembly from 2014-2015, NRM chairperson in this District for 20 years and other leadership positions.

Many politicians attended this function including Presidential Advisor Can. Ruth Nankabirwa, Mawogola MP Dez Byuma, Ssembabule MP Rtd. Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande, Bukomansimbi MP Salim Kisekka, and many other politicians.