The vigil for former presidential press secretary, the late Tamale Mirundi, is currently taking place at one of his homes in Namasuba-Zana along Entebbe Road. Mirundi was pronounced dead last night.
Reports indicate that Mirundi, who had been bedridden at Kisubi Hospital for the past few weeks, experienced complications yesterday and was immediately transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). However, hours later, he was pronounced dead.
According to sources, Tamale Mirundi experienced complications with his lungs.
As the country mourns his demise, it is worth noting that Tamale Mirundi was one of the most controversial political commentators but also very humorous. He was known for his scathing reviews and quotable phrases on a variety of topics.
Below are some of his popular phrases:
Tamale Mirundi held his former boss, President Yoweri Museveni, in high regard when it came to elections. He once said, “Whenever you see Museveni picking nomination forms, it’s a sure win for him.”
When his son, Tamale Mirundi Jr., publicly kissed a ‘Slightly Older Woman,’ socialite Don Zella, he defended his son, saying, “So you wanted him to kiss a goat?”
In 2020, when he left his weekly One on One show on NBS TV, he said, “I will only appear again on NBS TV when they’re announcing my death.”
During the infamous shooting of protesters in 2018, Mirundi reacted, “If a riot policeman shoots a rioter, I promote him.”
Mirundi was among those who didn’t ‘rate’ Valentine’s Day. In one of the many interviews, he was asked what he was going to gift his wives on Valentine’s Day. He said, “We African men don’t express ourselves in public; love is reserved for the bedroom.”
When tasked to explain his stance, he defended it, saying, “Whites often kiss each other in public, but what’s their rate of divorce? People just jump on wearing red things without even finding out the history behind them.”
“I’d rather work in a public toilet than work in Museveni’s government again,” Mirundi said in 2020.
His quote about Beti Kamya’s political career is also one to remember. He said, “When Beti Kamya contested for the presidency, she got fewer votes than the number of late Mukiibi’s (founder of St. Lawrence schools) children.”
Mirundi also once revealed his reason for supporting Museveni: “The only reason I support Museveni to stay in power is if he leaves, I have to flee. I have not invested in the opposition.”
“When you enter the bar, mark the ugliest girl there; if she starts appearing beautiful, just leave,” Mirundi once said.
Mirundi was a renowned traditionalist with extreme conviction to his beliefs. He once revealed how he did not leave his hair in the salon.
“I collect my hair and take it home after every haircut. My grandmother warned me that if a bird ever picks up a strand of my hair and uses it to build a nest, I would run mad or develop a long mental illness.”
Tamale Mirundi was a man for all seasons. Rest In Peace.
