Funeral programme
Tuesday, April 5, 9.00am: Church service at All Saints Church, Walukuba
12.00pm: Body taken to BAT Sports grounds Walukuba for public viewing
2.00pm: Body taken to the Busoga Lukiiko in Bugembe
4pm: Body driven to Buyaga, Kigandalo in Mayuge District for night vigil
Wednesday: Burial at 2m; Kigandalo in Mayuge District
Hundreds of soccer fans in Kampala braved persistent rain on Monday as they flocked Nakivubo Stadium to pay their last respects to former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Abel Dhaira.
A requiem service had earlier been held in memory of the late Dhaira at All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, where one tribute after another praised the good human being the former IBV Vestmanaeyjar shot-stopper was.
Dhaira’s body finally arrived in the country on Sunday, a week after he died in an Icelandic hospital following a failed battle against abdominal cancer.
At the mass at All Saints, Dhaira’s family thanked all Ugandans for their love and support during this trying time.
“He was a strong man but due to too much pain, he reached a point and preferred to rest,” said the deceased’s uncle, Abraham Dhaira
In Dhaira’s last days in hospital, his then club Vestmanaeyjar – who had already spent some good money on treating him – had talked of cremating his body in Iceland since they did not have enough money to transport his body to Uganda.
But President Yoweri Museveni intervened, directing that the Ugandan government transport the body home, which they finally did on Sunday.
“When they proposed to cremate Dhaira, we were sad,” said Abraham, “We wanted to bury our son and not ashes. Thanks to Ugandans for saving us from that torment.”
All Saints Church preacher, Reverend John Lakor, called upon the audience to live exemplary like Dhaira. “Let us hold onto the positive things Abel Dhaira said and did,” he preached.
Cranes coach Micho Sredojevic said it was “sad to know that we lost Dhaira, it was unexpected. May his soul rest in peace.”
Fifa president Gianni Infantino also sent in his condolences through Fufa. “He has written to Fufa concerning the death of our player Abel Dhaira,” Fufa president Moses Magogo told mourners.
“He sends utmost condolences to the family and Fufa. It is not very common to receive such messages given the fact that we lose so many footballers and sportsmen.”
Uganda Football Players Association (UFPA) thanked God for the life he gave Dhaira but expressed sadness that the Almighty had “taken him when we needed him the most.”
The association, through Muhamoud Kateregga, said: “Together with the cancer Institute Mulago, we have organised a game by all football players at Nakivubo 16th April to fight the scourge.”
Express FC, who Dhaira led to the Kakungulu Cup title in 2007 by saving two penalties in the 4-2 shootout victory over KCC, said: “It’s unfortunate that Dhaira hasn’t lived to his full potential because of cancer – May his soul Rest In Peace.”
URA FC are the other club the deceased played for: “The community of football, we have lost a great player and we promise to keep in touch with the family,” said the club.
Cricket Cranes, the national team, said: “Dhaira, we will miss your humour and talent, till we meet again.”
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago urged the Cranes to use the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to honour Dhaira.
“Dhaira, gone too soon,” said the Lord Mayor, “God’s judgement is final and no one can avoid it.
“Uganda Cranes, in honour of our fallen brother Dhaira, can we make him proud by qualifying for the Afcon 2017?” challenged Lukwago.
State Minister for Sports Charles Bakkabulindi said “Dhaira dedicated his life to sports, he was talented and disciplined.”
After the service at All Saints, Dhaira’s body was taken to Nakivubo for public viewing. Thereafter, it would be transported to his father’s home in Walukuba, Jinja District.
Dhaira, who died aged 28, will be buried on Wednesday in Kigandalo, Mayuge District.