Late Col Shaban Bantariza the former deputy government spokesperson and Uganda media center deputy has been buried on Thursday in Kagorogoro village, Birereko sub-county Mitooma District.
He has been accorded full military honors with a 24 gun salute.
Col Bantariza passed on Tuesday morning,2 am at Mulago National referral hospital shortly after he was admitted in intensive care with COVID-19.
The burial was limited to a small circle of mourners to mostly immediate family members, the army, religious leaders, and the choir plus the COVID-19 burial crew.
According to the ministry of health guidelines on burying COVID-19 patients, only close family members may bury but in case of additional mourners, the numbers should not exceed 50 people. The purpose is to avoid overcrowding and the spread of infection.
The burial time is also reduced to not more than 2 hours, preparation of food and drinks for mourners is strictly prohibited as this attracts large crowds. However, the family may prepare food for themselves.
Col Bantariza was Born in Mitooma District in 1963, joined the National Resistance Army-NRA in 1985, just a year before they took over power in a military coup.
Bantariza served as the UPDF spokesperson from 2000 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2006.
He has been largely described as a great spokesperson a dedicated cadre who worked for Uganda’s liberation and development
