PS Muhakanizi body to be returned on Thursday, OPM holds special prayers in his honor

By: Ismael Kasooha

KAMPALA

The body of the fallen Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Keith Muhakanizi will be brought into the country on Thursday and not Wednesday as earlier planned.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (forefront) flacked by other ministers during the Keith Muhakanizi memorial service held at OPM in Kampala

Keith Muhakanizi succumbed to a cancer related ailment on the 13^th of April 2023 in a hospital in Milan Italy where he had gone to seek specialized treatment.

The updates on the return of Muhakanizi’s body were communicated by Prof. William Bazeyo a Ugandan physician, public health specialist and close friend to Keith Muhakanizi during the special prayers on Wednesday 19 April 2023 organised by the Office of the Prime Minister in honor of the fallen PS.

Bazeyo said that there had been some issues to be sorted out in Milan, Italy before the body could be released but following the resolution of the same, the body had been handed over to the airline that would transport it to Uganda.

“By mid-day on Wednesday the body was released to the Airline, Ethiopian Airlines that will transport the body to Uganda. But it will arrive in the country on Thursday instead of Wednesday as earlier planned,” said Bazeyo.

The Very Rev. Can. Dr. Rebecca Maragert Nyegenye preaching during the Prayers in honor of the Late PS Keith

The special service was led by The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Margret Nyegenye, the Provost at All Saints Cathedral Kampala who appealed to all people to prepare for eternal life at all times.

“You should prepare for eternal life at all times because you don’t know when God will call you. But have you prepared your eternal home?” asked Nyegenye.

Dr. Nyegenye cautioned all people not to be corrupted by power because God will judge all of us equally without considering our positions and social status.

She appealed to all people holding offices to serve the Lord because they will all be judged by the Creator.

The Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja who led the Office of the Prime Minister team during prayers asked all people to reflect on their eternity home as they live in the world.

“Let me ask you, do you have a home in eternity? Can you imagine Keith has gone to his eternal home? Today its Keith, tomorrow it is me and you, let us be prepared for life after here,” said Nabbanja.

Nabbanja described Keith Muhakanizi as a mentor who played a great role in serving the country.

“I learnt several values from Keith and one of them is time management and decision making. He never wanted time wastage and he would ensure decisions are made as quickly as possible but the right decisions,” said Nabbanja.

Led by Geoffrey Sseremba, the Undersecretary at OPM, the workers eulogized Keith Muhakanizi as a leader who worked for the wellbeing of all people and that the country had lost a giant.

Prisca Ampumuza, a cousin sister to Keith, said that their brother was a person who valued everyone and was social.

PM Nabbanja leading the recession after the prayers

At the end of service Dr. Nyegenye prayed for the Office of the Prime Minister to overcome the prevailing situation and called for God’s intervention.

On arrival, the body of Keith Muhakanizi will be taken to his home in Bugolobi for a Vigil on Thursday and on Friday it will be taken to Kololo Independence grounds where the President is expected to be the chief mourner.

Later on Friday the body shall be taken to Lyantonde for a Vigil and he will be laid to rest on Saturday.

May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.

 End