Kampala — THE First Lady, Mrs. Janet Museveni, on Friday paid her last respects to the mother of former health minister Jim Muhwezi.

Eva Katugugu, 85, died last week of lung cancer and was buried at her home in Kitojo, Buyanja sub-county in Rukungiri district. Mrs. Museveni told mourners not to cry for the dead.

"There is no reason to cry for Eva, because she has finished her work and has gone to heaven to rest with God. I urge all of you to celebrate her life instead."

Mrs. Museveni described Katugugu as a hardworking woman who educated her children. Her husband, Samuel Katugugu, who died in 1986, was a church leader in Kigezi diocese.

The foreign affairs minister, Sam Kutesa, described Katugugu as a patriot who loved her family, village and nation.

"She would have stopped Jim from joining the bush war, but because she was a patriot, she sent her children to bring peace into the country," he said.

Muhwezi, the Rujumbura MP, said his mother taught him all the political tactics which helped him beat his opponents.

"I got all the proverbs I used in my rallies from this great woman. She escorted me to most of my rallies and changed many to my side," he said.

"I will always remember her whenever I visit my people in Buhunga and the other areas she visited with me," he added.