Retired Col Jack Mucunguzi, one of the 27 men that met in Kampala in February 1981 to launch the war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986, has passed away.

Mucunguzi breathed his last on Sunday, June 18, at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala after reportedly succumbing to cancer of the liver.

He was one of the 27 that met at Mathew Rukikaire’s house in Makindye on February 3, 1981, to plan the National Resistance Army’s (NRA) guerrilla war.

On the morning of February 6, a group of 41 men armed with just 27 guns stormed Kabamba Barracks with the aim of looting guns that would be used for their protracted war against Apollo Milton Obote’s government.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa mourned Mucunguzi’s passing and revealed he was in good spirits when he visited him in hospital last week.

“Sad to learn of the death of Col. Jack Mucunguzi, this morning, one of the original 27 NRA fighters. I visited him in hospital last Wednesday and he was in an upbeat mood. My condolences to Harriet and the children,” he said in tweet.

“We celebrate Afande's enormous contribution to the struggle that liberated our country.”

Mucunguzi’s passing leaves only seven of the 27 still alive.

These are President Yoweri Museveni, President Paul Kagame, Brig. Julius Chihandae, Brig. Andrew Lutaaya, Col Fred Mwesigye, Col Charles Tusiime Rutarago and Col George Mwesigwa.