Prince Nakibunge use Hajji Katongole’s funeral prayers to rally Ugandans to observe SOPs

By Bizwan Kirunda

31^st March 2021

Dr Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the titular head of Muslims in Uganda has called upon Ugandans not to relax in implementing the Standard Operating Procedures that relate to the fight against Covid-19.

Speaking at Kibuli Mosque during the funeral prayers of Hajji Musa Katongole, the former chairman of the Uganda Taxi Owners and Driver’s Association-UTODA who died yesterday from Covid-19, Nakibinge said although currently there is vaccination against the diseases, it doesn’t mean that it no longer kills people.

Katongole has been suffering from heart complications, diabetes and hypertension and he had spent one month in Thailand where he was being treated for the same.

He returned to Uganda two weeks ago after doctors told him his health had improved. All he needed to do was to reduce his body weight and all will be well.

However, on his way back to Uganda, he passed through Dubai in the United Arab Emirates where it is suspected that he contracted Covid-19 from.

Four days after he had returned to the country he was rushed to hospital with difficulty in breathing and died at TMR International hospital in Nalya Kira municipality. His wife Fatumah Katongole said they were heartbroken that Katongole died not from the complications he has suffered from for about five years but from Covid.

In eulogizing Katongole, the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayiga said he was a down to earth man who did great things without seeking recognition. Mayiga said the Kingdom of Buganda will miss him for the invaluable contribution he made towards uplifting her people from poverty.

Meanwhile, Nakibinge called upon Muslims to get in the habit of writing wills. Nakibinge said in the recent past, several prominent Muslims have died and what has followed is the fight for property among family members. He added that to ease their work as leaders, people should write enforceable wills.

Katongole who died at the age of 64 has been buried today at Nakasajja in Kyampisi Sub-county Mukono district.