It was a somber mood at the requiem mass during the send-off of Francis Ssenteza Kalibbala, who was laid to rest on Monday at his ancestral home in Masaka District.
Francis, Robert Kyagulanyi’s private bodyguard, was pronounced dead at Rubaga Hospital on Sunday where he had been rushed after he was allegedly knocked down by a military truck reg; number H4DF 2424, during a political confrontation between opposition NUP supporters and security personnel in Kampala.
This narrative however has since been challenged by the army claiming that Francis fell of a private vehicle instead.
But what made the ceremony more doleful is the speeches and eulogies the mourners, majority of whom were politicians made, with speaker after speaker castigating the circumstances in which the deceased met his death.
The main preacher, Rev Fr JohnMary Kiwanuka of Kilowooza Catholic parish had no kind words for the “killers” who he cursed without remorse.
“May the killers of those that ordered for the killing of Senteza be buried upside down. And the prayer is that may they rest in peace in banana plantations and not in heaven because they have not brought any peace” said Rev Fr Kiwanuka, attracting applause from mourners.
The mourners including the opposition top leadership led by NUP presidential candidate Kyagulanyi and Renewed Uganda’s Henry Tumukunde, did not waste the platform to have their lash at the state which they still insist has a hand in their colleagues death.
“We will not rest until the injustices being meted on us have ceased and there is no amount of intimidation or money can stop us” Kyagulanyi said amidst chants from the congregation.
Frank was eulogized as a loyal servant who for long has resisted temptations to double-cross his boss despite huge baits.
“Everyone close to Bobi Wine is priced at a minimum of Shs200m by the state, depending on how much information you can get from inside. We have been tempted at times but we are still strong,” said Eddy Ssebuufu aka Eddie Mutwe, one of Bobi Wine’s long-serving private guards.
“Frank too was tempted but he remained put and we shall be here till we die,” Eddie Mutwe added.
Frank’s death emanated from a political confrontation between NUP supporters and security in Kyabakuza on Sunday in which several journalists sustained injuries.
According to police, NUP defied the route plan agreed upon to follow as Kyagulanyi travelled from Masaka to Kyotera District. Police adds that Ghetto Media crew member identified as Ashraf Kasirye sustained blunt force injuries above the left eye allegedly from a canister.