DAR ES SALAAM: THE departed Kigamboni Member of Parliament and World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Africa Regional Director-Elect, Dr Faustine Ndugulile will be laid to rest on Tuesday, next week.
Dr Ndugulile (55) will be buried at Mwongozo cemetery in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, the National Assembly said in a statement released yesterday.
The body of Dr Ndugulile, who passed away on the wee hours of Wednesday in India while receiving treatment, will be flown back home today by the Ethiopia Airline’s aircraft which is expected to land at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) at 6:35pm.
According to the statement, upon arrival at the airport, the body will be received by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Mussa Zungu, along with the Clerk of the National Assembly and representatives from both the government and the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi.
Thereafter, the body will be taken to Lugalo Military Hospital for preservation until Sunday when it will be conveyed to the departed residence in Kigamboni.
On Monday, the body will be taken to the St Immaculate Church at Upanga, where the requiem mass will be observed from around 07:30 to 09:00 am.
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On December 2, President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to lead mourners at the Karimjee Grounds to pay their final respects to the fallen MP and the WHO Africa Regional Director-Elect. After the national ceremony, the body will be taken back to his home at Kigamboni.
According to the statement, on Tuesday, Dr Ndugulile’s body will be taken to the Machava grounds in Kigamboni for citizens to pay their final respects and later on to the Virgin Mary Consolata Parish for the burial mass service. Dr Ndugulile’s body will later be buried at Mwongozo cemetery from 03:30 to 05:30 pm.
Extending condolences yesterday, Kigamboni Municipality Mayor, Ernest Mafimbo said the people of Kigamboni have lost a courageous and patriotic leader who was brave, committed and always used his knowledge to offer valuable advice.
Similarly, Dar es Salaam Special Seats MP Mariam Kisangi, said Dr Ndugulile had been a man of great respect to her and that he diligently served his constituency and all Tanzanians. “Kigamboni has suffered a great loss. We will never forget Dr Ndugulile for his strong leadership.
He was a very attentive and obedient leader who ensured that we presented the challenges facing Kigamboni in Parliament,” she said. Dr Ndugulile’s brother, Gerald Ndugulile, said that his passing has left a huge gap in their family and his sudden death came as a shock to everybody.
The family will remember him for the many good deeds to his family, the community and the nation at large. “He also had a significant influence within the family; he was a man of the people who loved to help and listen. Even if you called him when he was busy, he would always say, ‘I will call you back,’ and after a while, he would call and listen,” he said.
Kigamboni resident, Peter Musiba said Dr Ndugulile served the constituency for three terms, a clear evidence that the people of Kigamboni had confidence and great trust in him.
“We also recognise that he had been appointed to a major international position as the Regional Director for the World Health Organisation (WHO) African Region, this was a great opportunity for Tanzania and Africa in general,” he said.
