Kadaga stressed that Watongola was a charismatic leader and that she was very optimistic that she would recover when she was told about her condition only to hear the sad news of her death.
Members of
the Busoga parliamentary caucus have eulogized the fallen Kamuli Municipality
MP, Rehema Watongola who succumbed to COVID-19 at Mulago National Referral Hospital
on Saturday morning.
Watongola’s death
comes barely a week after losing her brother to COVID-19. Speaking at Jinja
City hall on Saturday, the Speaker of parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, said Watongola
was a jolly and dependable person who will dearly be missed by her colleagues
in the caucus.
Kadaga stressed that Watongola was a charismatic leader and was very
optimistic that she would recover when she was told about her condition only to
hear the sad news of her death.
//Cue in: “yesterday, the ministry…
Cue out…where it is,”.
Paul Akamba, the Busiki County MP says Watongola was friendly to all members of
parliament irrespective of their political affiliation, saying her demise is a
great setback to their pursuit of unity in Busoga sub-region.
//cue in: “its’ unfortunate that…
Cue out…I am grieved,”.
The Bugabula south MP, Maurice Kibalya says Watongola was a down to earth
politician who chose to reside in Kamuli municipality and would only depart to
attend parliamentary sittings and committee meetings.
Kibalya says Watongola
was a straight forward person who rubbished rumours orchestrated by negative
minded people harbouring plans of disorganizing Busoga leaders.
//Cue in: “one unique thing…
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Veronica Babirye, the Buyende District Woman MP said Watongola was a selfless
and friendly leader who agitated for the betterment of his constituents’
welfare using her personal resources.
//cue in: “Hajat has been…
Cue out…shall miss her,”.
Watongola came to the political limelight in 2011 after attempting to contest
for the post of Kamuli District Woman MP, a position that was being held by
Kadaga.
Her decision created mixed reactions within the region as those
affiliated to Kadaga’s political camp faulted her for attempting to frustrate
their candidate’s chances of becoming the speaker of parliament after
deputizing the then, speaker of parliament, Edward Ssekandi for two terms.
She later bowed to the political pressure and contested as a Kamuli town
council LC V female councilor. In the following term, Watongola defeated the
Forum for Democratic Changes’-FDC Salamu Musumba to become the first directly
elected MP representing Kamuli municipality.
