Former Chairman Laity Council Kabale Diocese Dr. Pius Ruhemurana, was on Friday 26/4/2024 laid to rest at his ancestral home in Kashumuruzi village, Kitanga Parish, Kashambya Sub County, Rukiga district. He died on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at Rugarama Hospital in Northern Division,Kabale Municipality, Kabale District and succumbed to stroke at the age of 76.
Preaching during Mass, Rt. Rev. Callist Rubaramira, Bishop of Kabale Diocese described Dr. Pius Ruhemurana as a hardworking man and testifies that they even studied together. He called upon people to respond to the voice of Christ as Dr. Pius and witnessed him as a true disciple in service to his church and nation. Bishop Callist also commended Dr. Pius for having Established Poor Peoples Fund (P. P. F) aimed at benefiting the disadvantaged in the society. He prayer that God grants eternal rest to Dr. Ruhemurana. God gave him many gifts as a doctor, a political leader and as lay leader and he executed all these responsibilities with selfless efforts.
Dr. Pius Ruhemurana also served as Mayor for Kabale Municipality from 1996 to 2016 and was one of the founder membersof the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) which started in 2000 as Reform Agenda, a major opposition political party in Uganda. His successor, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha the Kabale Municipal Mayor described him as a committed leader to justice and transparency.
A number of political figures spoke and gave testimonies about Dr. Pius Ruhemurana’s hard work and his mode of operation. Byamukama Deogratias, the speaker for Kabale Municipality, while reflecting on Dr. Ruhemurana’s lauded his dual role as both a dedicated gynecologist and a passionate leader, serving as an exemplary figurehead for the Municipality as Mayor and the Kabale Diocese as Head of Laity.
Hon. Dr. Nicholas Kamara, the Kabale Municipality Member of Parliament, remembered Ruhemurana as a leader who tirelessly served the people of Kabale municipality. Dr. Kamara applauded Dr. Ruhemurana as a politician who mentored many including him. Former FDC President Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, in a speech read by Proscovia Salam Musumba, emphasized Dr. Ruhemurana’s persistent efforts for government change over two decades. Hon. Francis Mwijukye, MP for Buhweju commended Dr. Ruhemurana for his unwavering commitment until his passing.
Hon. Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, MP for Rubanda East and State Minister for finance planning and economic monitoring thanked Dr. Pius Ruhemurana for serving both his church and his nation. He said though he was in opposition (FDC), but he worked with NRM government in implementing government programs in Kabale Municipality.
Dr. Pius Ruhemurana was a senior gynaecologist and also served as the head of Kabale Hospital. Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda commended Dr. Ruhemurana for his hard work when he was heading Kabale Hospital and appreciated his dedication during challenging periods and his commitment to providing health care not only within the hospital’s walls but also following patients in their homes.
May the soul of Dr. Pius Ruhemurana rest in eternal peace.