Azam Uganda premier league clubs led by Jinja sides Sadolin Paints and BUL officially paid their last respect to the late Express, URA and Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Abel Dhaira in a mass at the All Saints church in Walukuba Jinja.
Both teams had Uganda premier league games to play; Bul at home against Express and Sadolin was travelling away to SC Victoria University but still spared some hours for the emotional event.
“We are here to celebrate the life of our brother who is now in heaven playing in God’s team,” Sadolin’s Edgar Luzige. “Abel was our hero and most of the players in Jinja got inspiration from him- leaving Mayuge to Walukuba to Kampala and then to Iceland. It is not a route everyone can just use to success but his hard work, humbleness and trust in God. He was a God-fearing person and maintained high levels of discipline,” he added.
JMC Chairman Faisal Muhammad led the team carrying the casket as they passed in between the Sadolin and Bul players who had lined up on both sides.
Fufa officials led by Vice president Justus Mugisha and Sam Lwere were present together with Express and URA contingent.
Abel Dhaira’s body was later moved to BAT grounds commonly known as ‘Tobacco’ for a public viewing before heading to Busoga Lukiiko in Bugembe.
At Tobacco, the mayor elect of Jinja town confirmed that “the Municipal council had passed a resolution to upgrade the grounds to a stadium. The stadium was officially renamed to ‘Abel Dhaira’ memorial stadium.”
The burial is set for Wednesday 6th at his ancestral home in Mayuge.
Both Bul and Sadolin Paints won their matches 2-0 and 3-0 respectively.