Ugandans have paid tribute to President Yoweri Museveni’s longest-serving press secretary, Hope Kivengere, who died on Tuesday morning.
According to her younger sister, Charity Kivengere, Kivengere died at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where she had been admitted for one week after developing complications.
Lindah Nabusayi, the Presidential Secretary confirmed Kivengere’s death.
Kivengere, the daughter of renowned late Anglican bishop Festo Kivengere, served as President Museveni’s aide and press secretary between 1986 and 2001, before leaving to work as Uganda’s representative on the COMESA Committee of Elders.
She also worked, between 2016 and 2017, at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and with African Union peacekeeping missions in Sudan and in Somalia.
In 2018, she was selected by COMESA to head its team to observe Egypt’s presidential elections, which the incumbent president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi won.
Following her death, friends, relatives and colleagues came out to eulogize her.
“She always checked in on the press whenever she was back home. We have lost a great civil servant,” Nabusayi.
“She is someone who never had airs around her (not arrogant), even when she held a powerful position, working with the President. I don’t remember her having any issues or conflicts with anybody at the State House.” Lucy Nakyobe, former State House Controller.
“When I took on the office after her, she was ready to give me advice whenever I came across tricky issues. I started referring to her as ‘my guardian angel’ on issues to do with office. She was also a member of the eminent women of Femwise… an African Union mechanism for women mediators,” she said. “Hope didn’t just belong to Uganda. She belonged to Africa,” Presidential adviser, Mary Karooro Okurut.
“She was an accomplished professional. The few times we interfaced were equal to drinking from a spring of knowledge. It was an honour serving in a position whose bar you set so high,” Michael Katungi, politician, diplomat and security expert.
“She was a person with ‘personified’ integrity, patriotism, humility and diligence in the public service,” Moses Wetasa, Commissioner for Communication and dissemination at ICT ministry.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this sad moment,” Emmanuel Dombo, NRM Director Communication.
“Hope was an effective press secretary who in retirement supported the communication function of several regional bodies. May God comfort her family and rest her soul in peace,” Jacob Oulanyah, Speaker of Parliament.
“Saddened by the news of the passing on of former long-serving presidential aide Hope Kivengere. The country has lost a trusted servant who dedicated her life to serving her Country. My condolences to H.E the president, state house and her family,” Anita Among, Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
“To me, she was a dear first cousin and friend. Fare thee well Hope,” Security minister, Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi.
“From our youthful days in Nairobi as activists in the NRM struggle, Hope was a pillar in the publicity task force which I chaired. She did a great job then and later in setting up and professionally managing the President’s press office. May God bless her soul,” James R. Tumusiime
“Most people knew hope in Media Relations circles. Beyond that, she was very instrumental in brokering peace efforts in the Great Lakes region. She was, indeed, a true daughter of the great Bishop Festo Kivengere,” Milly Babalanda, Minister for Presidency.
“Rest In Peace Hope Kivengere. Thank you for the pioneering and excellent work as Press Secretary to HE Kaguta Museveni & Government of Uganda spokesperson. You set the bar so high for that office. We are eternally grateful,” Julius Mucunguzi, Communication Adviser, OPM.
“Many times,when we talk about the NRA struggle,People like Hope Kivengere rarely get mentioned! Yet,these forsook risked alot for the Struggle,and their contribution is engraved in stone(blood)! My deepest sympathies go out to the family. Rest In Peace Combatant!” Gen David Sejua aka David Tinyefunza.
“Rest in peace Mama Hope Kivengere. You were an accomplished professional. The few times we interfaced were equal to drinking from a spring of knowledge. It was an honour serving in a position whose bar you set so high. Rest well humble giant,” Don Wanyama, CEO – Vision Group.
“The passing on of Ms Hope Kivengere is a huge loss to the country of a lady who dedicated many years of her life to the service of our nation & NRM Gov’t. She was a woman of faith, action & contributed to the dev’t of Africa,” David Bahati, State Minister – Trade.
“Sad to learn of the passing of Ms Hope Kivengere, a humble and dedicated public servant. Condolences to the family,” Richard Kabonero, diplomat.
“I have been shocked to hear of the sudden passing on of Hope Kivengere. Africa has lost a diligent daughter whose contribution to peace and security will be missed. Rest in Peace my dear sister,” Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, former VP.
“A great Muryakigyezi has signed out. I knew her by the signature Afro. Fare thee well Hope Kivengere. You will be greatly missed on Rugarama Hill and beyond,” Emmanuel Ainebyoona, Spokesperson, Ministry of Health.
Senior Journalist Arinaitwe Rugyendo Tweeted: “Rest with the angels Hope. A steller Press secretary who was always available for all manner and nature of journalists in Uganda and abroad. I would say, without a doubt, the best Presidential Press Secretary I have ever enouncatred in my 22-year journalism career.”
“I was pleasantly surprised to find Hope Kivengere (RIP) at the African Union – United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur. We worked together in the same department. News of her death is a big shock. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends,” Hussein Lumumba Amin