By Watchdog reporter
Among Baganda culture, when someone dies, people condoling with the family contribute resources in forms of money, food, and other materials to be used in the funeral and burial of the deceased. These contributions are called mabugo in Luganda language.
With the death of big and notable people such as the Maria Mutagamba, the former minister of tourism, a lot of money is collected and given the family to support them in the aftermath of the burial of their loved one.
However, in Mutagamba’s case, word had it that the money collected by agencies under the ministry of tourism went missing.
Tourism is the ministry the Rakai politician worked and she showed her passion for the sector including stamping on the social calendar her landmark projects the Miss Tourism beauty pageant.
With reports that millions have gone missing, Tourism state minister Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi has issued a statement refuting allegations.
Kiwanda clarified that “The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and her Agencies contributed a total of UGX13.8m towards the funeral expenses of the late Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba.”
The breakdown of the contributions, according to Kiwanda, was as follows:
MTWA 2m
UTB 5m
Ngamba 300k
UWEC 1m
UWA 5m
HTTI 500k
Here below is the full statement.
RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, WILDLIFE AND ANTIQUITIES
In response to media reports on “missing mabugo”, this is to clarify the following:
The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and her Agencies contributed a total of UGX13.8m towards the funeral expenses of the late Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba.
The details are as follows:
MTWA 2m
UTB 5m
Ngamba 300k
UWEC 1m
UWA 5m
HTTI 500k
This money was given in bits and on several occasions: Ngamba and UWEC gave their contributions at Rubaga Cathedral on Monday, and the rest of the money was given at the burial on Wednesday by the Ministry.
The family of the late Dr. Mutagamba recorded and announced the receipt of all this condolence money.
We ask those spreading these malicious “missing mabugo” rumours to respect the dead and desist. This information can easily be checked with the family of the late.
Hon. Mutagamba was passionate about tourism and her death is a tragic loss to the sector and our country. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Hon Kiwanda Godfrey Ssuubi
Minister of State
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