Legendary former Uganda Cranes captain Jimmy Kirunda was laid to rest at his ancestral home in Mayire, Bulesa – Kyadondo on Wednesday. He died Monday at the age of 70.
JIMMY KIRUNDA: 1950 – 2020
The football fraternity and Uganda at large was shocked by the news of the former Uganda Cranes skipper, which occured on Monday around midday in Bwaise, Kampala. On the day of his burial two days later, all roads led to his ancestral home in Mayire for his send-off.
A human being has a couple of momentous occasions in life. From birth, follows the troublesome toddler stage, childhood, teenage, adulthood, old age and finally death.
Death is the least celebrated of all the aforementioned stages because it terminates life.
Upon burial of a human being, many people often perhaps celebrate the life of the deceased, many often reflecting the good deeds of the late, and seldom the grey patches.
As the body of the former Uganda Cranes captain and manager was being laid to rest at his final eternal destiny in Mayire, Kyadondo off Kiwanda town, hundreds of people (despite the challenging social distance etiquette) braved sunny conditions to pay the final respect.
Kirunda’s close family members, active, retired footballers, football and other sports administrators attended the burial on Wednesday, 27th May 2020.
Only a handful of people were allowed at the graveyard where another former Uganda Cranes great, Phillip Omondi was laid.
The three time AFCON finalist had his coffin lowered down in the grave at around 1:30 PM amidst tight security with a KCCA jersey wrapped on the casket.
National Council of Sports (NCS) top brass team led by the board chairman Donald Rukare, Bernard Patrick Ogwel (General Secretary), David Ssemakula Katende (assistant general secretary) attended.
Police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the swelling crowds that yearned to pay the final respect to the legend.
Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) had the Executive officials as Justus Mugisha, Ronnie Kalema, publicist Ahmed Hussein, football director Ali Mwebe, retired FIFA Referee Ali Kalyango, FUFA Delegate Paul Ssali (teammate with Kirunda on 1978 AFCON team), ,Owek.Florence Bagunywa Nkalubo among others were also present.
A lion’s share of Ex-internationals, many of whom are now coaches or servants of the game in other portfolios also attended.
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
