Kibalama dead
By Robert Madoi & Fredrick Musisi Kiyingi
Oct 9, 2003
|
KAMPALA - The probe into the scam that has hit Ugandan football suffered a set back yesterday following the death of probe committee member Dr Joseph Ssentongo Kibalama. The 52-year-old died yesterday morning on his way to Mulago hospital. According to sources close to him, Dr Kibalama had been complaining of general body weakness, loss of appetite and breathing difficulties.
The deceased had visited a private clinic in Kampala prior to his death where he was diagnosed with malaria and a heart problem. He was treated for malaria at the clinic, but was referred to Mulago ward to be attended to by a heart specialist. "He (Kibalama) did not find any heart specialist at Mulago, so he returned home. Dr Kibalama is said to have collapsed at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, and 1 a.m. yesterday before he died on his way to the hospital. "The doctor at Mulago told us that he had died shortly before he was brought to hospital," a close friend said. The deceased has had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. At the time of his death, Dr Kibalama was a senior lecturer and deputy dean at the Faculty of Agriculture. He was also an LC V councillor at Makerere University community. "He will certainly be missed at the faculty. He was a highly learned man and was also the only person with a doctorate at the faculty," one of his colleagues at the department of agricultural engineering said. Mr Sam Kibalama Katumba, the deceased's elder brother described him as an out and out perfectionist. Dr Kibalama is survived by a wife and four children. The burial is tentatively set for 4 p.m. on Friday at Biira, seven miles on the Mityana road. Dr Kibalama was one of the five members appointed to the probe committee by the National Council of Sports and Fufa, to investigate the causes of football malpractice in Uganda. Mr Stephen Kavuma, former Kyadondo South MP and ex- minister of state for defence, and chairman of the committee, said that Kibalama's contribution would be missed. He said: " Kibalama was a hard working person for the time we have been with him." Kavuma said that he last saw Kibalama on Friday during a press conference at Lugogo. Later he told committee members that he would not be able to be with them (Friday) as he was travelling to Masaka for official work. He was scheduled to be with his colleagues on Tuesday but sent a message that he was not feeling well. Mr Wilson Tumwine, chairman of the Council, described him as a straightforward person. "I knew him well before we appointed him to the probe as an honest person and understands quickly and give a solution to a problem." Fufa President Denis Obua said that the nation has lost the services of Kibalama. Express FC Secretary Kavuma Kabenge, Villa Secretary Edward Luyimbazi Mugalu and KCC assistant general secretary Mr Richard Omongole all said their clubs are saddened by the death of Kibalama. |
© 2003 The Monitor Publications
Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE Yahoo! Messenger
