President Museveni has described the late Col. Jack Mucunguzi as a person who lived a life of service to the country.

Museveni's remarks were contained in a message delivered on his behalf by works minister Edward Katumba Wamala before hundreds of mourners at Rwenjeru village in Biharwe, Mbarara city as he was being laid to rest.

Mucunguzi was among the 27 National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters that attacked Kabamba military barracks in 1981, which marked the beginning of the five-year war that brought the NRA/M government into power.

The casket containing the remains of Col. Jackson Mucunguzi being lowered to its final home on Wednesday as family members look on

Mucunguzi, 65, was pronounced dead on June 19, after he succumbed to cancer of the liver at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala.

On Wednesday, works minister Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala delivered President Yoweri Museveni's condolence message. 

Museveni, who is the commander in chief of the armed forces, described late Mucunguzi as one of the historical, patriot and loyal cadres of NRA.

“It is sad that one of my 27 fighters, who attacked Kabamba Barracks with me, has also gone, he was the commander of section four of the nucleus of NRA. Therefore, it is sad that we have lost one of the loyal and historical cadres of NRA,” Museveni said.

“Mucunguzi might have departed from our amidst, but the fruits of his work will remain and benefit future generations. He lived a life of service to his country and all those who have known him must be proud of his legacy and must emulate his wonderful example,” he added.

The country shall miss you

Gen Salim Saleh, the co-ordinator of the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) programme, who was represented by Lt.Gen. Charles Otema, said Mucunguzi has been the unsung hero who has left the world when needed most.

“Mucunguzi has been a true comrade who sacrificed a lot to the liberation of this country, the country shall miss you,” Saleh said.

Gen. Henry Tumukunde with businessman Ben Kavuya at Mucunguzi's burrial on Wednesday

A true father

Harriet Mucunguzi, the widow, said the 37 years they had spent together she had never regretted having gotten married to him.

“He has been a true father in his home, he loved me and his children and he wished to see his family better including all his relatives. I pray to God that he enables me to manage the widow's life because he has been my true friend,” Harriet said.

Who was Mucunguzi?

• Born in 1958 in Kitojo village in Rukungiri district 
• Went to Katebo Primary School, Rushozi Primary School and later joined Mbarara High School. 
• Shortly after, he joined the struggle in 1979 following his military training at Ntare School
• After Idi Amin fled, Mucunguzi joined the cadet training Monduli, Tanzania the intake 17 long in 1979
• Upon return, he was deployed in Kitgum and joined others after the 1980 elections.
• He was one of the 27 NRA fighters that attacked Kabamba in 1981
• He became the commander of Abdul Nasser, based in the Matugga (Wakiso district) area which was the headquarters of NRA at the time
• Among the last few survivors of the original 27 fighters who went to the bush with Museveni
• Was among the 21 remaining soldiers of the 300 who joined training in Tanzania
• Mucunguzi also worked with Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) where he formulated initiatives for anti-smuggling at URA and also worked with Coffee Marketing Board before joining the private sector
• He is survived by his wife Harriet and four children: Kankwanzi, Philip, Nadia and Timothy.