President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed the late retired Maj. Gen. Yusuf Gowon as a strong and determined fighter.

Gowon served as the Army Chief of Staff under the regime of Idi Amin in the 1970s.

He died at Arua Regional Referral Hospital on Friday (February 2) at the age of 85 and was laid to rest on Saturday at Arua Muslim Cemetery in Arua city.

President Museveni's condolence message was delivered on his behalf by NRM director of finance and administration Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale.

In his message, Museveni said he made peace with Gowon many years ago and therefore held no grudge against the ex-military officer.

Muslims praying for the late before burial.

He contributed sh10 million towards the funeral arrangements while the NRM secretariat contributed sh5 million.

On her part, Hajjat Medina said the NRM fraternity is condoling with the bereaved family and the entire people of West Nile as they regarded the late as a great mobilizer for the party.

“He was a friend of the President and knew him personally," she said.

"He [Museveni] told me to inform the mourners that he has nothing against the late and that he was a strong fighter. 

"For the NRM, he has been supportive to the government as he has been one of the few elders in the region that supported and massively mobilized for the party."

Abdulrazak Musisi Mududu, a brother to Gowon, on behalf of the family commended the government for standing with the family during his final days alive.

The family also thanked the President for making peace with Gowon.

Mududu said Museveni pardoned them when they returned from exile in neighbouring DR Congo despite their brother have been a senior commander that fought against the future President’s forces.

Richard Andama Ferua, the former LC5 chairman for the then-Greater Arua district, described the late Gowan as a disciplined former army officer who played a pivotal role in bringing peace in West Nile region.

He said soldiers who served in the Amin regime but left the country for rebellion listened to his advice of peace when he helped to mediate and talk to them.

Hussein Kato is the district councillor representing Bombo, an NRM mobilizer and a son in-law to the late Gowan. He appealed to the government to consider helping the aged widows and orphans.

Kato also urged the government to construct a residence in appreciation of Gowan for denouncing the rebellion and promoting peace in the region.

Gowon started his journey with the forces in 1963 as a prisons officer, before crossing to the military forces in 1971.

In 1978, he was promoted to Army Chief of Staff until 1979 when he fled to exile in DR Congo after the downfall Idi Amin’s government.