President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni highlighted today that the late Rt. Hon. Eriya Kategaya was a trailblazer in the realm of patriotic politics in Uganda. Kategaya, who served as Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs, passed away on 2nd March 2013.
“Kategaya was the pioneer of the politics of patriotism. The politics of loving Uganda,” President Museveni stated during the memorial service held at Kololo, where he was joined by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni.
The President paid tribute to the late Kategaya as a steadfast advocate of nationalism and principled politics. He cautioned attendees against identity-based politics, which he described as detrimental to national progress.
“In the 1960s, it was due to Kategaya that we started seeing the mistakes of UPC, DP and Kabaka Yekka, of the politics of identity. We tried to influence the situation but people were not listening and it led to the collapse of 1971 when Amin came in,” he remarked.
He also encouraged event organisers to appreciate the unique qualities of individuals.
“Kategaya had a different approach but he brought in a lot of contacts which we didn’t know or have,” the President added.
Moreover, President Museveni urged leaders to maintain clear objectives and employ effective methods in their governance efforts.
“When you are working for aims things are easier. With Kategaya and we who know what we are doing, it is politics of aims/mission not politics of myself or what, no!” he said.
