Friends and family pay tribute to Brig. Kankiriho

Tribute by Pamela Ankunda (niece)

If he was alive today, he would have told me he did not deserve a page one pictorial in which he featured Tuesday. Yet he had a way with the press, going an extra mile to create page one stories through unmatched dedication, resilience, hard work and selfless patriotism.

I was his press daughter and he, my standing warrior. Through his eyes, I saw the Uganda he wanted and worked for – peaceful, stable and transformed.

A family man with great love for children, a high sense of humour, Brig Kankiriho was a man destined for greater heights and to these heights, I believe, he has returned.

He gave his all, wherever and whenever deployed – once in a while reminding us that his was a simple response to a call of duty in war zones in the different places he served – Moroto, Lira, Pader, Karamoja, Congo and shortly before his death, western Uganda, fighting ADF possibilities.

The call and rise to duty gave Uncle Patrick an opportunity to join ranks of the brave men and women, who sacrifice their freedoms, so that this country can find its destiny.

Sometimes, their work goes unnoticed or seemingly unrewarded. Sometimes, they are protected by our love, prayers, hope and the shared belief.

When Brig. Kankiriho was fighting to end the LRA menace in Congo, I told him about the need to share as much information about the success story that UPDF was doing.

He sent me daily alerts some of which I never hesitated to share with the press. The most touching sms he sent while in Garamba was the rescue operation of Kony’s young wives.

The message read: “God is great, we rescued young girls of your age, who had been forcefully married off to barbaric men. God has made heroes out of your army – my boys are great.”

When he served in Karamoja, Uncle Patrick lived a Karimajong lifestyle, making Karamoja his second home. The task at hand was the disarmament programme and pacifying Karamoja from cattle rustling and guns.

But there were politicians who had turned this into a political gimmick. I remember when one aspiring leader accused him of arming one group against the other.

Uncle Patrick stood taller, not wanting to say a thing about it, but trusting the tenancy of time for truth to prevail. And it did. At his wedding just a few years ago, his family and friends from Karamoja came in hundreds and camped home for a couple of days, occasionally jumping and dancing with them, sometimes, failed only by his weight.

What has been said about him so far – a hero, active, courageous, brave describes a man who opened up to realities of life. Lately, he had turned into a motivational speaker.

His last sms to me a day before he died read: “We too have minds that have newer ideas of self and national development. Uganda has inspired us to work selflessly for it and for our grand-children’s future. I am doing my part. Are you doing yours?”signing off rather cheekily as “Uncle Pato”.

I know how deeply he will be missed by everyone who loved and worked with him, especially his young family, but the Lord gives and takes and to him, all glory we return. Rest in Peace Uncle Patrick – gone home too soon.