By Robert Kayindi James
Fallen Uganda Cranes custodian Abel Dhaira was finally laid to rest at his ancestral home in Buyaga Village in Kigandalo Subcounty in Mayuge District, Eastern Uganda on Wednesday.
The enormous crowds were evidence that the former URA FC and Express FC stopper was a darling to many including Iceland’s National football team Head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson who was present at the burial ceremony.
Hallgrimsson spotted Dhaira during the CECAFA 2008 in Kenya and took him to Iceland.
“I met Abel in 2008 during the CECAFA tournament in Kenya. I took him to Iceland and like I am the only White-man among hundreds of mourners here, this is what happened to Dhaira when he I took him to Iceland to play professional football for the first time. But because he was so humble, he had different character from all African players I have ever met, Abel excelled by the virtue of his talent and above all he has been a God fearing man.” Hallgrimsson is quoted on Kawowo.
Mr Safe hands breathed his last on 27th March in Iceland after succumbing to abdominal cancer.