The remains of Dr. Pius Ruhemurana the former Kabale municipality mayor were on Friday evening laid to rest in his ancestral home of Kashumuruzi village, Kitanga parish, Kashambya Sub County, Rukiga district.
Dr.Ruhemurana, 78, who served as the mayor of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from 1998-2016, succumbed to hypertension and diabetes from Rugarama hospital in Kabale district on April 24, 2024.
Dr. Ruhemurana lost to Independent Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha. This was after Byamugisha denounced FDC accusing party electoral commotion officials led by Michael Kabaziguruka of declaring Ruhemurana unopposed during party primaries yet he had expressed interest to contest against him.
Preaching during the burial service at Kitanga Catholic Church, Rt.Rev.Calist Rubaramira, Kabale diocese bishop asked Christians to work for a positive legacy while still alive since they are all equal before God. Her daughter, Joseline Ruhemurana, his uncle Hajji Kamugisha and Major Johns Rugumya, a relative described Ruhemurana as a generous peace loving man.
FDC party officials led by Dr. Nicholas Kamara, Kabale Municipality member of parliament , Roland Mugume Kagyinda, former Rukungiri Municipality MP, Francis Mwijukye Buhweju county MP say that Ruhemurana will be remembered for being non corrupt.
Dr. Colonel Kiiiza Besigye former FDC party presidential flag bearer in his eulogy read for him by Salam Musumba, say that it is hurting to see that Dr.Ruhemurana died before witnessing change of government. Besigye also expressed anger on how Dr. Ruhemurana died from a private hospital where he was paying than a government facility where services are supposed to be free.
Dr.Ruhemurana started his education journey from Rukiga primary school in Kitanga parish,Kasyambya sub county before joining St.Paul’s Mutorere secondary school in Kisoro district for his secondary level. He later joined Makerere Institute (currently Kyambogo) where he pursued a diploma in education.
He taught in various secondary schools like St.Leo’s Kyegobe,Kyakasura ,Kyebambe and St.Mary’s College Rushoroza. He later joined Grant Medical School India in India where he pursued Bachelors degree of medicine and surgery. He later specialized in gynecology and obstetrics.
He worked in several hospitals like Rubaga and Mulago in Kampala, Kambuga in Kanungu and Kabale regional referral hospital where he served as a medical superintendent until he joined politics. Dr Pius Ruhemurana, is survived by one girl child.
