KAMPALA, UGANDA: The body of Anthony Wameli, the former National Unity Platform (NUP) legal head is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow after spending weeks in the United States of America.
Wameli, died on February 8 this year while undergoing cancer treatment in Boston Massachusetts, US and remained withheld at the facility over unpaid bills as his family appealed to well-wishers to assist them in raising funds to repatriate his body.
His wife, Olive Wameli, who was organising the fundraiser through GoFundMe said the family needed about $30,000 (about sh110m). These funds according to the family would help in covering the burial expenses here in Kampala and in Namisindwa.
However, David Lewis Rubongoya, the secretary general of NUP has confirmed that Wameli’s body is on the way and will arrive in the country by tomorrow, Friday, March 3rd, 2023.
Tentative funeral programme
Rubongoya also revealed that the preparation to bid him the last farewell was undergoing and below is the tentative burial programme of the deceased.
March 3, 2023, at 5:00 pm: There will be public viewing in celebration of his defence of human rights at NUP Offices at Makerere Kavule and from 7.00pm-7.00am vigil and wake at his home in Kyetume Gayaza.
On March 4 2023 from 8.00 am to 10.00 am, the Cortège will make a stop at Ebenezer Faith Worship Centre at Kanyanya for viewing and final farewell.
Then from 10.30 am to 1.00pm, there will be a funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Kyebando. From 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm, the Cortège heads to Namisindwa and 6.00pm-6.00am vigil at the ancestral home in Namisindwa.
On March 5, 2023 from 9.00am-12.00 noon, there will be a farewell service at Namisindwa Sports Ground and at 2.00pm, the burial will take place.
Anthony Wameli; the founder and managing partner of Wameli & Co. Advocates practised law for over 10 years with a wide range of experience, including representing suspects on terrorism charges.
Wameli who was known for being a human rights lawyer and was a pastor at Ebenezer Christian Fellowship in Kanyanya came into the limelight around 2017 when he represented suspects accused of killing former police spokesperson Andrew Felix Kaweesi. He has also been representing the alleged rebel leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) Jamil Mukulu.
He will be remembered for representing hundreds of NUP supporters in court including those who were arraigned before the General Court Martial. Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde and Bobi Wine were his clients in the 2021 presidential election petition that challenged President Museveni’s victory.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) in 2021 named Wameli as the criminal defence lawyer of the year. The ULS Annual General Meeting also voted Wameli and Company Advocates as the law firm of the year.
He also served as a Magistrate Grade one in the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Nakasongola for about three years before he quit.
He also represented former presidential candidate Gen Henry Tumukunde.
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