The Parliament of Uganda, yesterday, paid tribute to the late Dr Higiro Semajege, a renowned elder in the Banyarwanda community in Uganda. Members described him as a man who truly lived by the aspirations of the East African Community (EAC).Semajege, a former Ugandan legislator, passed on last Friday at Bugolobi Medical Centre, Kampala, where he had been diagonised with cancer  The motion to honour Semajege was moved by Uganda’s Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, who described him as a unifying factor and a senior citizen who had diligently served Uganda."During the constitution making process, he articulated well issues of Banyarwanda leading to their recognition as citizens of Uganda,” he said.Sam Otada, the Kibanda County MP, said by championing the inclusion of Banyarwanda in the 1995 constitution  of Uganda, Semajege fulfilled the aspirations of EAC of ‘One People, One Destiny’."Semajege was a visionary leader and a pan-Africanist who cherished cultural values,” Otada said.Otada said unlike many highly qualified scholars, Semajege invested in Uganda.Semajege was a respected economist and held a PhD in Economics from the University of Southern California, U.S.A."He will be remembered for being a principled man,” said Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Sekikubo.At the time of his death, Semajege had just retired from the job of deputy speaker of the Buganda Lukiiko (Parliament).He will be laid to rest today at his country home in Sembabule District, Uganda.