Pan-African Tribute: Uganda Honors Former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Kampala Memorial Service
KAMPALA, Uganda – In a powerful demonstration of transnational mourning and regional solidarity, Uganda hosted a solemn memorial service at All Saints Cathedral in Kampala on Tuesday to honor the late Kenyan statesman Raila Odinga, bringing together dignitaries, religious leaders, and political figures from both nations in a celebration of his pan-African legacy.
The service, held at the iconic All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, served as Uganda’s official tribute to the former Kenyan Prime Minister who died approximately two weeks ago while receiving medical treatment in India. The ceremony highlighted Odinga’s continental stature as a political leader whose influence transcended Kenya’s borders and resonated across East Africa .
1️⃣ Service Overview
The memorial ceremony commenced at 9:00 AM local time, creating what attendees described as “a time of prayer, reflection, and unity in support of a Pan-African statesman” . The service represented Uganda’s formal opportunity to pay respects to a figure who had profoundly influenced not only Kenya’s political landscape but also regional politics and the broader pan-African movement.
The choice of All Saints Cathedral for this memorial carried particular significance, as the historic religious venue has long been a site for important national events in Uganda. The cathedral, which is preparing to open a new 5,000-seat building, represents both Uganda’s religious heritage and its modern aspirations .
2️⃣ Distinguished Attendees
The memorial service attracted a remarkable gathering of cross-border leadership, reflecting Raila Odinga’s ability to build bridges across political and national lines.
Kenyan Delegation
· Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County
· Rosemary Odinga, eldest daughter of the late statesman
· Additional members of the Odinga family and Kenyan representatives
Ugandan Dignitaries
· Representatives of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
· Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former Prime Minister of Uganda
· Captain Mike Mukula, National Chairman of the Pan African Movement Uganda Chapter
· Various Ugandan government officials and political leaders
Captain Mike Mukula, described in the service program as “Baba’s friend,” was specifically recognized by Kenya’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party for his role in organizing the tribute, with the party posting: “Special thanks to Captain Mukula, Baba’s friend, and the team for this honour. We are grateful” .
3️⃣ Religious Leadership and Message
The Most Rev. Dr. Steven Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, presided over the emotional service, delivering a sermon that connected Odinga’s political principles to broader moral and spiritual values .
In his address, Archbishop Kaziimba extended beyond conventional eulogy to advocate for democratic values in Uganda’s political process, specifically emphasizing the importance of “peaceful transition, and free and fair elections in Uganda” – a poignant reference to principles that Raila Odinga had championed throughout his political career in Kenya.
This emphasis on democratic processes represented more than standard memorial sentiment, serving as a meaningful affirmation of the very ideals that Odinga symbolized throughout his often-tumultuous political journey.
4️⃣ President Museveni’s Tribute
In a notable highlight of the ceremony, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda delivered a heartfelt eulogy that framed Odinga as “a mission-oriented leader and a brave freedom fighter,” recognizing both his contemporary political impact and his earlier struggles for democratic freedom.
Museveni’s tribute specifically urged “all Pan-Africanists, especially the young people, to keep Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga’s legacy alive by intensifying the struggle for African unity” to achieve what he identified as the three goals of “strategic security, prosperity and fraternity.” The Ugandan president asserted that Odinga’s “towering legacy will continue to be an inspiration to the present and future generations,” positioning him as a continental figure rather than merely a national leader.
This recognition from a sitting head of state underscored Odinga’s significant stature across East Africa and reflected the shared political history between the two neighboring nations.
5️⃣ Political and Symbolic Significance
The Kampala memorial service represented far more than a conventional tribute, functioning as a significant moment of diplomatic symbolism and regional political alignment.
· Cross-Border Solidarity: The service demonstrated how Odinga’s influence transcended Kenyan politics to affect regional political discourse, with Ugandan leaders drawing explicit connections between his legacy and their own political values.
· Pan-African Recognition: The prominent involvement of the Pan African Movement Uganda Chapter underscored Odinga’s continental stature and the resonance of his political philosophy beyond Kenya’s borders .
· Religious-Political Interface: The service highlighted the increasingly interconnected relationship between religious institutions and political commemoration in East African public life.
Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s participation as Governor of Kisumu County – a key political stronghold for Odinga – alongside Rosemary Odinga created a powerful visual representation of both the political and personal dimensions of the loss.
6️⃣ A Continuing Legacy
The Uganda memorial represents just one of multiple tributes that have been held across the region since Odinga’s passing. Earlier, a delegation from the Turkana community had traveled to Odinga’s home at Opoda Farm in Bondo to honor a planned visit that death had prevented, describing him as “the father of devolution, a champion of democracy, and a visionary statesman” .
In Kenya, President William Ruto had officially proclaimed Odinga as “the father of our democracy, a tireless champion for social justice, a renowned Pan-Africanist, and a statesman without equal,” ordering that he be accorded a state funeral with military honors .
The Ugandan service particularly highlighted the international dimensions of Odinga’s legacy, with one social media observer noting: “Baba Raila Odinga was an international figure” and praising the “very good gesture from our neighbors in Uganda” .
As the service concluded at All Saints Cathedral, the messages of unity, democratic values, and pan-African solidarity stood as a testament to Raila Odinga’s enduring impact beyond Kenya’s borders. The gathering had not only honored a departed leader but had also reinforced the shared political and cultural connections between two neighboring nations, suggesting that Odinga’s legacy would continue to influence regional politics long after his passing.
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