Museveni mourns former Kibuku MP Rainer Kafire

Kibuku, Uganda: President Museveni has paid tribute to former Kibuku County Member of Parliament Juliet Rainer Kafire, describing her as a dedicated leader, mother and development champion whose contribution to education, healthcare and community transformation left a lasting legacy in Bukedi and eastern Uganda.

The President’s message was delivered on Sunday, June 14, by Vice President Jessica Alupo during Kafire’s burial at her ancestral home in Bulangira Town Council, Kibuku District, where thousands of mourners gathered to celebrate her life and public service.

Alupo, who attended as the chief mourner on behalf of Museveni, said the late Kafire played a significant role in advancing development and improving livelihoods in Kibuku and the wider Bukedi sub-region.

“His Excellency the President did not only send me to deliver his condolence message but also assigned me to deliver Shs10 million to the deceased’s family to assist with burial arrangements,” Alupo said.

The Vice President noted that Kafire served as Member of Parliament for Kibuku Constituency from 1996 to 2006 and was among the Constituent Assembly delegates who participated in drafting Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.

She described the former Democratic Party leader as a respected public servant whose work transcended political affiliation and focused on improving the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Leaders Celebrate Kafire Legacy

Tributes poured in from political leaders across the country, many highlighting Kafire’s contribution to education and healthcare development.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah Oboth-Oboth, represented by the MP for Older Persons in Eastern Uganda, Ofwono Opondo, praised Kafire for establishing schools and health facilities that later became important public institutions serving communities in eastern Uganda.

Opondo also delivered a Shs10 million contribution from Parliament towards burial arrangements.

Energy and Mineral Development Minister Dr Monica Musenero hailed Kafire as one of the region’s pioneering female leaders whose commitment to community development inspired many young leaders.

Musenero also thanked President Museveni for appointing several leaders from Bukedi to senior government positions, saying the region continues to benefit from national recognition.

DP, NRM Unite in Tribute

Despite her long association with the Democratic Party, leaders from both the ruling NRM and opposition paid glowing tributes to Kafire.

NRM Director of Information and Publicity Emmanuel Dombo, representing Secretary General Richard Todwong, said Kafire demonstrated that development could be achieved through cooperation across political divides.

“She left a very big legacy. Although she belonged to DP, she worked closely with government programmes to advance development in her community,” Dombo said before delivering a Shs5 million contribution from the NRM Secretariat.

Democratic Party Secretary General Dr Gerald Siranda described Kafire as one of the party’s most distinguished leaders and urged government to preserve and honour her contribution to national development.

Siranda announced a Shs5 million contribution from the Democratic Party towards the funeral.

Several leaders called for Kafire’s legacy to be preserved through public projects and institutions.

Kibuku District Chairperson Haji Muhammad Nakeba appealed to President Museveni, through Vice President Alupo, to establish a government technical institute in Kibuku in honour of the late leader.

Kabweri County MP Dr Patrick Wakida said he was among many beneficiaries of Kafire’s mentorship, noting that she supported his education and political growth.

Born on a path of public service, Juliet Rainer Kafire is remembered as a legislator, education advocate and development mobiliser whose work helped shape the social and economic transformation of Kibuku District and the wider Bukedi sub-region.