By Patriot Corps
Former Attorney General Prof. Edward Khiddu Makubuya has been laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kalasa village Makulubita Sub County, Luwero district.
Hundreds of mourners including senior citizens, former national leaders, clergy, Lawyers, public servants and other technocrats attended the burial ceremony led by Rt. Rev. Wilson Kisekka, the Bishop of Luwero Anglican diocese as the main celebrant.
Makubuya 75, who served as Uganda’s Attorney General between 2005 and 2011, died last Monday morning after a long illness.
In his tribute delivered by the Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, President Museveni said the legacy of Prof. Kiddu Makubuya is multi-faceted; as first of all, he carved a niche for himself in the legal profession, as a Scholar, Author, Don and Advocate.
“Some of the prominent Lawyers, in our country today, were taught and mentored by Prof. Kiddu Makubuya; and several others have benefited from studying the works that he authored,” he said.
The president noted that Prof. Kiddu Makubuya was not an ivory tower academic despite his great learning. “He easily connected with the masses, to understand their challenges and come up with a cure for them,” Mr. Museveni.
He further said there is always a temptation for academics and intellectuals, to become detached from the common people; and spend a lot of time studying subjects that are alien to our local conditions.
The president told mourners that a country cannot develop without the input of its best brains adding that in the NRM, their approach has always been to attract and integrate both the intellectuals and masses into the liberation struggles.
“We believe that everyone has a contribution to make to nation building,” Mr. Museveni said. Prof. Kiddu Makubuya was able to make a contribution by serving in several ministerial portfolios.
He saluted Prof. Mukubuya’s efforts to transform Uganda and Africa adding that he will be remembered for his contribution to the drafting of the 1995 Constitution, which ushered the rule of law in our country.
The president told mourners that as they mourn the demise of Prof. Kiddu Makubuya, they should use this occasion to celebrate his great legacy; his life is an inspiration to present and future generations.
“I stand with his family in this moment of sorrow; and pray that the Almighty God grants you the fortitude and courage to go through this loss. May the Soul of Prof. Kiddu Makubuya,” he said.
Makubuya a distinguished legal scholar, politician, and public servant, was born on July 30, 1949, in Luwero District.
His illustrious career began after he graduated with First-Class Honors in Law from Makerere University in 1974. He further advanced his studies at Yale Law School in the United States, where he earned a Master of Laws and a Doctor of Juridical Science in 1976 and 1979, respectively. Internal Affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafire said Prof. Makubuya was not just a lawyer; he was a mentor and an inspiration to many in the legal and academic fields. “His contribution to the 1995 Constitution of Uganda and his leadership roles within the government will forever be remembered. We shall miss him a lot,” Otafire eulogized.