Former minister Kyemba’s body lies in state at Parliament

A dirge, ‘It is well with my soul’ was one of the hymns played by the Uganda Police brass band on the first floor of the Parliamentary Building, just above the foyer at 10:00am on Tuesday, 24 October 2023, as Members of Parliament (MP) started streaming in to pay their last respects to Henry Kyemba. Kyemba, a former minister died on 19 October 2023 in Kampala aged 84.

The casket containing his remains arrived at Parliament at 10:47 am. MPs, mostly from Busoga sub region, where the late hailed from, assembled at the staircase at 10:57am to receive the remains of Kyemba.

The MPs were joined by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Thomas Tayebwa who in the company of former Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda and Third Deputy Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama received the body at 11:05am.

His casket was wheeled to the foyer where the mourners, including Kyemba’s family viewed the body. Tayebwa signed the condolence book before taking a few minutes to condole with the family and  MPs.

Former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and the Deputy Thomas Tayebwa

Notable among the mourners was former Supreme court judge, Justice George Kanyeihamba. Parliament will pay tribute to Kyemba at 2:00pm during a special sitting.

Kyemba served in several positions in government. He was Principal Private Secretary to former Presidents Milton Obote and Idi Amin from 1962 to 1971 and 1971 to 1073 respectively.

He also served as Minister of Culture from 1974 to 75 and for Health from 1975 to 77.
Kyemba was State Minister for Animal Industry in the early years of the National Resistance Movement government.

Kyemba also authored a book titled, ‘A State of Blood, the inside story of Idi Amin.