Uganda’s ex-PM Apolo Nsibambi dies at 78

Apolo Nsibambi, who served as the 8th Prime Minister of Uganda between 1999 and 2011 has died on Tuesday, May 28 at the age of 78. The news has been confirmed by his daughter, Julie Nsibambi over social media.

Apolo Nsibambi was struggling with age-related illness for the last five years, but details related to his demise are yet to be released. Ofwono Opondo took to Twitter saying the government of Uganda had been informed of the former prime minister's death and would be issuing a statement shortly.

Government has been informed of the death of the former Prime Minister #ProfApoloRobinsNsibambi. An official statement will be issued shortly. #RIP @UgandaMediaCent @newvisionwire

— Ofwono Opondo P'Odel (@OfwonoOpondo) May 28, 2019

President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni has expressed his grief over Twitter due to the sudden loss of ex-Prime Minister of East African country. In his tweet, he has written about his instruction to the country's current Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda to lead a team to ensure the 'true patriot and great academic' receives a befitting send-off.

According to Daily Monitor, Nsibambi was battling cancer. He was Uganda's longest serving Prime Minister, having occupied the office for 12 years.

However, he passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday evening. Nsibambi also served as the chancellor of Makerere University from 2003 until October 2007. He taught at the university in the 1960s, befriending author Paul Theroux, who interviewed Nsibambi in his travelogue Dark Star Safari.

I have learnt of the untimely passing of the former Prime Minister, Prof Apolo Nsibambi. He was a true patriot and great academic. The country will miss him. I have instructed Prime Minister @RuhakanaR to lead a team that will ensure we give Prof Nsibambi a befitting send-off.

— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) May 28, 2019

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