On April 24, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among led Uganda’s official delegation to the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Sources revealed to Monitor that Vatican officials had invited President Museveni to attend the funeral, but he designated Speaker Among to represent him at the event scheduled for April 26.
“The President was invited but chose to send the Speaker in his place,” a source confirmed. The delegation, led by Among, consists of four members, including two Members of Parliament and two aides, with the Speaker as the fifth member.
Mr. Chris Obore, Parliament’s director of communication and public affairs, verified that Speaker Among would head a four-person team from Uganda, though he provided no further details. The group departed yesterday to arrive in time for the funeral. Mr. Sandor Walusimbi, Senior Presidential Press Secretary, confirmed President Museveni would not attend.
Speaker Among, who met Pope Francis eight times—five in private audiences and twice during official visits—shared a meaningful connection with the late pontiff. In an April 21 interview, she expressed deep respect for his humility, dedication to peace, and advocacy for humanitarian causes. She described Pope Francis as not only a spiritual guide but also a global champion of social justice and compassion, values she cherishes.
In their private discussions, Among and the Pope explored topics such as peace, development, and Uganda’s contributions to global humanitarian efforts. Her leadership of the delegation highlights the strong diplomatic and spiritual bond between Uganda and the Vatican.
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