Anthony Wameli’s Body To Arrive In Uganda After Getting Stuck In US For Weeks: Here Is The Tentative Programme For His Funeral
The body of Anthony Wameli will finally arrive in Uganda tomorrow Saturday, March 4 2023 from the United States where he died a few weeks ago.
According to the secretary general of NUP David Lewis Rubongoya, Wameli’s body is on the way and will arrive tomorrow and the preparation to bid him the last farewell was undergoing.
Wameli who was the head of the legal team of National Unity Platform (NUP) was pronounced dead on February 8 2023 in the United States, where he had been admitted with cancer at the fourth stage which suddenly cut his life shot.
Wameli, who had been battling abdominal complications on and off for months, was diagnosed with colon cancer also known as bowel cancer according to doctors at Boston Medical Center in Massachusetts, USA, where he had been hospitalized since September 2021.
Following his demise, his family appealed to well-wishers to assist them in raising funds to repatriate his body and also cater for the bills incurred.
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.
According to NUP, the tentative funeral programme is as follows
On 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 7.00 pm-7.00 am 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 1.00 pm, 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 6.00 pm-6.00 am vigil at the ancestral home in Namisindwa.
On March 5, 2023, from 9.00 am-12.00 noon, there will be a farewell service at Namisindwa Sports Ground and at 2.00 pm, the burial will take place.
About Antony Wameli
Wameli is the founder and managing partner of Wameli & Co. Advocates which employs eight advocates but has nurtured more than 300 advocates. Wameli practised law for over 10 years with a wide range of experience, including representing suspects on terrorism charges.
He also served as a Magistrate Grade one in the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Nakasongola for about three years before he quit.
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 also represented former presidential candidate Gen Henry Tumukunde.
Wameli 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) named Wameli as the criminal defence lawyer of the year in 2021. The ULS Annual General Meeting also voted Wameli and Company Advocates as the law firm of the year.
