The ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities has issued a statement on the drama confusion over condolence money that made two ministers clash at the burial of fallen ex-minister Maria Mutagamba in Rakai district on Wednesday.

Drama ensued at the burial of fallen ex-tourism minister Maria Mutagamba when government chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa and tourism minister Prof Ephraim Kamuntu exchanged fire over ‘missing’ condolence cash.

Mutagamba who died last week was laid to rest at Gamba village in Kakuuto sub-county in Rakai district Wednesday afternoon.

It all started when Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa refused to read a condolence message from the Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities minister Prof Ephraim Kamuntu.

Nankabirwa claimed that whereas Shs 13.5m was indicated in the condolence message, the family had received only Shs 7m.

Now the junior tourism minister Godfrey Kiwanda has issued a statement Thursday, clarifying on the controversy.

FULL STATEMENT
In response to media reports on “missing mabugo”, this is to clarify the following:

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities and her Agencies contributed a total of *UGX13.8m* towards the funeral expenses of the late Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba.

The details are as follows:

MTWA 2m

UTB 5m

Ngamba 300k

UWEC 1m

UWA 5m

HTTI 500k

This money was given in bits and on several occasions: Ngamba and UWEC gave their contributions at Rubaga Cathedral on Monday, and the rest of the money was given at the burial on Wednesday by the Ministry.

The family of the late Dr. Mutagamba recorded and announced the receipt of all this condolence money.

We ask those spreading these malicious “missing mabugo” rumours to respect the dead and desist. This information can easily be checked with the family of the late.

Hon. Mutagamba was passionate about tourism and her death is a tragic loss to the sector and our country. May her soul rest in eternal peace.