December 13 2013-Sam Kalega Njuba
Dec 13, 2013
Erstwhile Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairman Sam Kalega Njuba has died aged 72 years.
By Cyprian Musoke, Emma Luganda and Joyce Namutebi
KAMPALA - Erstwhile Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairman Sam Kalega Njuba died aged 72 years.
The former Kyadondo East MP, Constituent Assembly delegate and one time Minister for Constitutional affairs in the NRM Government succumbed to intestinal complications for which he has been in and out of Nsambya hospital since June this year.
Professional career
A veteran Advocate born on 22 February 1941, Njuba attended Queens University in Belfast for his Master of Laws, after his Law degree at the University of East Africa. He began his career as a Lecturer at Makerere University in 1969-1972, before being appointed Chief Magistrate Buganda Road Court in 1973.
He then went into private Legal practice under his Sam K Njuba and Company advocates from 1973 to 1980.
From 1981 to 1983 he worked as the Secretary External Committee of the NRM, during which he coordinated NRM recruitment in Nairobi. From 1983 to 1986 he moved on to the University of Papua New Guinea where he worked as Senior Lecturer and Coordinator of Magisterial studies at the Faculty of Law.
On his return in 1986, he was appointed Minister of State for Constitutional Affairs after the triumph of the NRA/M government in 1986-1993, after winning the Constituent Assembly (CA) seat of Kyaddondo East. He contested for the Kyaddondo East constituency again in the 1996 elections, representing them until 2001. Thereafter he again went into private Legal practice from 2001-2007.
He had his last lease of political life again in 2006 when he contested for Kyaddondo east on the Forum for Democratic Change ticket after breaking ranks with the NRM, which he beat and represented till 2011 when he threw in the towel.
He was during the last FDC National delegates Conference unveiled as the Party National Chairman, a position he has died holding.
Njuba was married with Children to Gertrude Njuba, a long time NRM historical. For a long time he was the Chancellor of Namirembe Diocese, advising the Chancellery on legal matters.
FDC Secretary General Alice Alaso
FDC Secretary General Alice Alaso Friday said they are awaiting an official report from the medics on the cause of his death but according to information he died at around 3:00.
“Since many of us have been upcountry in our constituencies, this comes as a shock to many of us. We knew he has been ill for some time, in and out of hospital but he had steadily improved and he was running his private businesses.
The party, she added, is trying to meet the family to see how to get involved in burial preparations, adding that it was unfortunate since it came unexpected.
NRM Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo
Said ;“NRM and government are saddened by the death of Mzee Sam Njuba who has served the country diligently particularly since 1986 as a member of NRC, cabinet minister, member of CA (Constituent Assembly) and historical long serving member of NRM. We send condolences to his family and the people of Uganda.
“We particularly send condolences to FDC fraternity where at the time of his death he was a pillar.”
LIFE IN PICTURES
Sam Njuba with his daughter, Stella after winning a court petition filed against him by his rival, Sitenda Ssebalu, May 29,2008.
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Reform Agenda Vice Chairman, Sam Njuba (right), Tororo MP. Godfrey Ekanya (left) at press briefing in Kamwokya 6/10/2003
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Reform Agenda's Robert Ndyomugenyi with Sam Njuba walking out of the High Court in Kampala, after an application for the State to produce Kiiza Besigye's servant Aisha Nakiguli, at the High Court in Kampala
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Forum for Democratic Change, president Rt Col Kiiza Besigye (left) with Sam Kalega Njuba (right) in Wakiso district on 1 July 2006.
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