The Chief of Defence Forces in the UPDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has hailed deceased former presidential press secretary, Tamale Mirundi as a longtime friend.
Mirundi died on Monday night at Kisubi Hospital where he had been admitted for a month.
In his eulogy, Gen Muhoozi said he has been friends with Mirundi for over 20 years.
“We were friends and colleagues for over 20 years. He was a bold and fearless person who always fought for the truth,” Gen Muhoozi said in a post on X.
“Uganda has lost a patriot who loved his country. May his soul rest in peace.”
Mirundi, Muhoozi relations
During his squabbles at State House, Mirundi always referred to Gen Muhoozi as one of his close friends whom he said never forsook him.
He at one time said one many occasions, it took Gen Muhoozi to convince him change some of his decisions in regards his job at State House.
Having fallen out with State House, Mirundi never at anyone time abused Gen Muhoozi but always sang praises for him.
For example in 2022, Mirundi said he had decided to let go of grudges with long- time nemesis, Andrew Mwenda .
Mirundi blamed Mwenda to be among those who led to his sacking by President Museveni from his position as presidential press secretary.
During the 2022 dinner to celebrate Muhoozi’s 48th birthday, Mirundi said he is ready to shake hands with whoever supports the First son.
He compared his mended relationship with Mwenda to a woman bewitching her fellow woman not to get pregnant only to change her mind.
“Yes he came. What if as a woman, you had a fellow woman bewitching you not to get pregnant and that same witch changes mind and does everything to ensure you get pregnant. If you eventually give birth to twins, do you keep grudges with that woman?” Mirundi asked.
“Whoever supports Muhoozi, I will shake their hands. There was no big deal. People think there was a deal, that I had been given money. There was nothing like that. Don’t tell me about people. Nobody has suffered like me. I rejected a job and my car was taken away from me.”
Mirundi on many occasions attacked anyone badmouthing Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
For example last year when Minister for ICT, Dr.Chris Baryomunsi warned the First Son off politics for being a serving military officer, Mirundi swung into action to defend his friend.
“Baryomunsi is an educated idiot. The same Baryomunsi implicated Museveni in the murder of Celina Nebanda. That is why I admire Museveni; that a man who once called you a murderer, is now your minister! Me I cannot trust Baryomunsi, these are shameless people, he can’t do anything for you. I don’t value Baryomunsi and if I find him at the panel, I just walk away because he is not my equal,” he said.
Many say it is because of this friendship that Mirundi was appointed the Patriotic League of Uganda(PLU) spokesperson for Buganda.
