Uganda minister of agriculture dies


Kibirige Sebunya

KAMPALA, UGANDA (APA) – Uganda’s renowned scientist and minister of state for agriculture, Kibirige Sebunya died on Wednesday morning at the national referral hospital in Kampala.

He succumbed to cancer of the tongue and throat that had seen him admitted in hospital for a long time in Germany before he returned to Uganda.

Sebunya was famed for developing coffee varieties resistant to the wilt disease.

His extensive research led to the introduction of the clonal coffee which takes a relatively shorter time than other varieties to mature.

Information and National Guidance Minister Al hajji Ali Kirunda Kivejinja said Uganda has lost a dynamic and brilliant scientist and tough politician.

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Dr Kibirige Sebunya died at Mulago hospital in Kampala this morning. He had been admitted at the hospital suffering from throat cancer. Sebunya had already been flown to different hospitals overseas but was brought back and admitted at Mulago.

Uganda’s third deputy premier and information minister, Alhaji Kirunda Kivejinja, said that government had worked tirelessly to save Dr.Kibirige’s life but unfortunately it was not possible.

He said that government and Uganda as a whole has lost a dynamic and brilliant scientist in Agriculture and tougher politician who will be greatly missed.

Meanwhile Uganda’s cabinet meets anytime from now to draw up strategies for the burial of the minister