Former foreign affairs minister, Sam Odaka honored

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Odaka has been described as a diplomatic and an exemplary nationalist who was non-sectarian.

Addressing mourners during a requiem mass at the All Saints Cathedral Nakasero this morning, former Prime Minister Apollo Nsibambi praised the late politician for being true and loyal to his religion.

Mourners carry the casket of the late Sam Odaka former Foreign Affairs Minister in Milton Obote government at All Saints Nakasero August 6, 2015. The late died of cardiac arrest and intestine blockage. He is to be buried in Busia on Saturday (PHOTO: STEPHEN WANDERA) — Mourners carry the casket of the late Sam Odaka former Foreign Affairs Minister in Milton Obote government at All Saints Nakasero August 6, 2015. The late died of cardiac arrest and intestine blockage. He is to be buried in Busia on Saturday
(PHOTO: STEPHEN WANDERA)

Born in 1929, Odaka died of kidney failure at International Hospital, Kampala on Tuesday morning.

Before his death, Odaka developed multiple organ complications and suffered two cardiac arrests.

Odaka served as Foreign Affairs minister in the Milton Obote I regime and later Planning and Economic Development minister in the second leg of the Obote administration.

As Foreign Affairs minister, the government of Uganda extended an invite to Pope Paul VI in 1969, thrusting Uganda to the global diplomatic eye as the first African country to host the world’s most influential religious leader.

He was also part of the country’s delegation in high level continental discourse in Addis Ababa in the build up to the formation of the Organisation for African Unity in 1963, the defunct umbrella of African states succeeded by the African Union.

Odaka is survived by a wife, four daughters and five grandchildren.