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Former Ugandan leader Godfrey Lukongwa Binaisa went to see his physicians for a routine visit on Monday. Family sources informed this newspaper yesterday that Mr Binaisa’s blood sugar levels had fluctuated prior to his visit but his doctors said he wasn’t in any danger, releasing him to go back home.
His daughter, Ms Nakalema Binaisa, offered this newspaper insight into her fathers last moments. Excerpts;
He was in very good spirit. With hindsight I actually realise now that he was saying good bye. On Monday the doctors told us that his sugar levels had stabilised. We went back home, he was eating his food and he was walking. Last night [Wednesday] the nurse went to check on him. He had a couple of nurses looking after him for both during the day and at night. So she went to check on him and he asked her: “Nurse olibulingi? Are you okay?” as he smiled. She responded and said yes Mzee I am so fine. He seemed happy to ask her.
Good bye...
The nurse said he was in a cheerful mood. He woke up at 3:00am and she checked on him again and told him: “Mzee dayo owebakee, (please go back to sleep). Before, he had been asking about his late mother, our grand mother, and she told him everybody is okay. Then, he turned to his side and she tucked him in and he went to sleep.
She went to wake him at 6 am to take his bath and that’s when she realised he couldn’t wake up. The doctors said his heart just stopped beating. It wasn’t a heart attack.
We are still in shock. He was such a cheerful man. You know he suffered a stroke two years ago and he has had problems for a while. We thought he would make it 100 because whenever he got ill, he would come around again. We are grateful to God that we have had that extra time with Dad. We tried our best and offered him the best medical care. There was nothing left that was not done. He was happy and smiling.
He was a sensitive man and I remember him always telling me: “This is your Africa. You have to stay here and care for your Africa. You won’t get another.”
We are so grateful to Uncle Gordon Wavamuno who ensured that Daddy’s life story was recorded and told on WBS so all the young people can get to know everything about his life. As a family, we are also grateful to you all.