Chadema national chairman Tundu Lissu has ordered his family to give his elder brother, Alute Mughwai, a dignified burial. Mughwai, an advocate by profession, died at 2 am at Selian Arusha Regional Referral Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment. Lissu, who is being held at Ukonga Prison pending a High Court judgment in his treason case, learnt of his brother's death two mornings ago when relatives visited him at the prison.
A four-member delegation comprising Lissu's younger brother, Ikota Lissu, Jenerali Ulimwengu, Chadema Secretary-General John Mnyika, and Lissu's nephew arrived at Ukonga Prison at 6 am to break the news to Lissu. However, prison authorities allowed only two relatives to enter and inform him. Ikota Lissu described the task as difficult, given the exceptionally close relationship between Lissu and his brother.
According to Ikota Lissu, Tundu Lissu's main instruction is that the family should give the deceased a fitting send-off. He pledged Sh15 million towards the funeral arrangements and directed relatives to consult priests, the deceased's friends, the bishop, and Catholic Church leaders in Singida Region to coordinate the burial. The family plans to travel to Dar es Salaam on Friday to attend the court session at which the judgment in Lissu's case is expected.
Dr Vicent Lissu, another younger brother, said Tundu Lissu received the news with deep shock and entrusted the family with overseeing the funeral arrangements. Tundu wished he could leave prison to participate in the burial, particularly because he had not been able to care for his brother during his hospitalization and might also miss the final farewell.
The family spokesperson said mourning would continue for several days, with the final farewell ceremony expected on Monday or Tuesday next week. The full funeral programme will be announced later. A private legal practitioner, Method Kimomogoro, remembered the deceased as a close friend of more than 40 years who helped shape his professional career through guidance on integrity, diligence, and ethical legal practice.
Kimomogoro said their friendship began in February 1985 when he arrived in Arusha as a State Attorney and Alute welcomed him, helping him settle into the workplace. He credited the late advocate with laying the foundation for his own legal career, particularly by teaching him to practise law with professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
Key points
- Tundu Lissu has pledged Sh15 million towards funeral expenses for his brother's burial.
- The family plans to travel to Dar es Salaam on Friday to attend the court session at which the judgment in Lissu's case is expected.
- The final farewell ceremony for Alute Mughwai is expected on Monday or Tuesday next week.
