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Former Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Abel Dhaira laid to rest

The body of late Abel Dhaira has been laid to rest at Buyaga Village in Kigandalo subcounty Mayuge District.

Abel Dhaira  who passed on in Iceland on Sunday 27th March after losing the battle of cancer and died in Iceland Hospital where he has been hospitalized since December last year.

Iceland National football team Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson attended the burial ceremony where he extended his sincere sorrowfulness of the loss of such great talented goalkeeper in Abel Dhaira.

“I met Abel in 2008 in CECAFA in Kenya. And I took him to Iceland and like I am the only Whiteman alone amongst hundreds of mourners here, this is what happened to Dhaira when he I took him to Iceland to play professional for the first time. But because he was so humble, he had different character from all African players I have ever met, Abel exceled by the virtue of his talent and above all he has been a God fearing man.”

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Iceland National football team Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson speaking to late Abel Dhaira’s father Bright Dhaira in Mayuge shortly before burial on Wednesday

National Council for Sports was well represented by David Katende who said Sports in general had lost one of the great talents who will never be replaced.”

Olivia who spoke on behalf of the family was thankful for the support rendered to late Abel Dhaira and his family at large.

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Hundred of thousands of mourners at Dhaira’s last ceremony on earth

“I have been with Abel since he got back to Iceland for treatment when he was sick.”

“The family of the late Abel Dhaira wishes to sincerely acknowledge the support received from the whole medical team, Government of Uganda, H.E the President if the Republic of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), IBV FC, Ambassodor of Uganda to Iceland, Twegaite International, URA FC, walukuba and jinja Community Dhaira Family plus all other football stakeholders who made it possible for AbeL Dhaira’s body to return home. We are greatly appreciative. May Abel Dhaira’s Soul Rest in Eternal peace.” Olivia who has been nursing Dhaira in Iceland said.

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Olive Mbakira speaking on behalf of the family

On behalf of FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo was Mr. Justus Mugisha, the FUFA 1st President who thanked the 5 man funeral emergency committee that he commended for the good work of seeing the burial of late Abel Dhaira ending successfully.

“I want to commend the 5 man committee that I have headed as chairperson fo seeing this ceremony ending successfully. This comprised of Norah Nasimbwa (from State House), Katende Semakula (from National Council of Sports), Arinaitwe Rugyendo, and Faisal Mayemba (Family representative). I thank you so much for the commitment.”

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Uganda Cranes midfielder, Tonny Mawejje, former teammate to Dhaira at IBV and the national team attended the burial. Other players were David Obua, Godfrey Wakabu (Dhaira’s former teammate at Express F.C, now at Soana F.C), Simeon Massa among others.
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Uganda Cranes headcoach, Milutin Sredojevic, FUFA 3rd Vice President, Denis Mbidde, FUFA 1st Vice President Justus Mugisha, FUFA Executive Committee member, Sam Lwere and Uganda Cranes team manager, Chrispus Muyinda pay their last respect to Abel Dhaira

“I also want to bring you condolences from the FIFA, CAF and FUFA presidents who not around but with us in sorrow.”

“FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo was unable to attend the burial because of other official engagements but he is with us in spirit.”

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State House was notably represented by Norah Nasimbwa (second left). FUFA 1st Vice President, Justus Mugisha (second from right) represented the FUFA President

The chief mourner, Mrs Lukia Isanga Nakadama also the Minister for Culture, Gender, Labour and Social Development presented her condolence speech on behalf of The President Of the republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

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The chief mourner, Mrs Lukia Isanga Nakadama, the Minister for Culture, Gender, Labour and Social Development presented a condolence speech on behalf of The President Of the Republic of Uganda H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Part of the condolence message from the President H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

“The family of late Abel Dhaira, condolence message, I received with great sadness the news of the untimely death of Abel Dhaira. Please accept on behalf of my family and entire nation my most sincere and heartfelt condolence, the late Abel Dhaira has been an inspiration to the young people. He has succumbed to cancer while the nation still had hopes in him. He is gone too soon, he has been an achiever, in sports and he has been progressive in fostering his talent abroad and represented Uganda well. The late abel dhaira will be remembered for his patriotic spirit and interpersonal fearing skills amongst the sports fraternity.”

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Lt. Col Saad Katemba who represented Gen. Katumba Wamala addessing the mourners. On his left is Sam Lwere, FUFA Executive Committee member

Among other notable guests Lt. Col Saad Katemba who represented Gen. Katumba Wamala, Katende David from National Council of Sports, Omara Apita the Commissioner physical Education, Science, Technology and Sports, Norah Nassimbwa from State House all attended the burial ceremony.

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Biography

Name: Abel Dhaira

Born: 9th September 1987

Died: 27th March, 2016

Burial: 6th April 2016 at Buyaga Village, Kigandalo Subcounty Mayuge district.

Parents: Mr. Bright Dhaira and Mrs Nakijoba Harriet Dhaira

Education:

1994-1999: Narambhai Road Primary School

2000: Walukuba Eeast Primary School

2001-2006: Jinja S.S

Football Career

Jinja Redstars soccer Academy-Uganda

Mbale Industry FC-Uganda

Express FC-Uganda

URA FC-Uganda

AS Vita (Democratic Republic of Congo)

IBV FC – Iceland

Simba FC-Tanzania

IBV FC-Iceland

May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace

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