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The Kingdom’s official X account (formerly Twitter) shared images of the meeting between the Katikkiro and the Mirundi family, which included Mr Ssebunnya, Mirundi’s widow, and some of his children. During the visit, Katikkiro Mayiga spoke to the family and reiterated the importance of responsible communication, especially in the digital age.
“The internet never forgets. If you misuse it, you will live to regret your actions in the future,” Mayiga stated.
His remarks were in light of Mirundi’s controversial comments and actions towards the Buganda Kingdom, many of which had been widely publicised through various media channels.
Despite the tension that once existed between the kingdom and Mirundi, Katikkiro Mayiga acknowledged the family’s efforts to seek reconciliation.
“Apologising is a noble act, and I commend the family for coming out to apologise on behalf of the late Mirundi,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that he officially accepted the apology and asked for God’s forgiveness for any wrongs committed by the deceased.
The family’s visit to Mengo was part of an effort to mend relations with the Buganda Kingdom, which had been severely strained during Mirundi’s lifetime due to his frequent public attacks on the kingdom.
Mirundi’s criticisms of the kingdom, particularly during his tenure as President Yoweri Museveni’s press secretary, created friction that persisted even after his death.
At a requiem mass held for Mirundi in Bunamwaya on August 15th, his elder brother, Mr Ssali, expressed the family’s desire to repair relations with the Buganda Kingdom.
He acknowledged that the deceased’s harsh remarks had left a mark, and he took responsibility for speaking on his late brother’s behalf.
“The dead do not speak; we speak for them,” Ssali said during the mass. He pledged to approach anyone who had been hurt by Mirundi’s comments and seek their forgiveness.
Mirundi, who passed away in early August, had a complicated relationship with the kingdom. Although he was of Buganda origin, his alignment with the government during key moments, such as the protests over the Kabaka’s blocked visit to Kayunga in 2009, placed him at odds with the kingdom.
His support for the government’s stance and his defence of the temporary closure of four radio stations during the crisis further deepened the divide between him and the kingdom.
During his career, Mirundi was known for his confrontational style, often using his platform to criticise various groups and individuals. His attacks on the Buganda Kingdom were part of his broader approach to public discourse, which frequently led to controversy and conflict.
Despite his harsh words, those who knew him personally, including his family, have emphasised that much of his commentary was not meant to cause harm.
At the requiem mass, Mr Ssali reminded the public that his brother had a playful nature and often made jokes that were misunderstood. “Most of his negative remarks were not bad-hearted,” he said, suggesting that Mirundi’s brash public persona did not always reflect his true intentions.
With the Buganda Kingdom’s acceptance of the family’s apology, it appears that the chapter of conflict between Mirundi and the kingdom has come to a close. This reconciliation represents a significant step towards healing and closure for both the family and the kingdom, allowing the late Tamale Mirundi to rest in peace.