OBITUARY

When the mighty fall, all roads lead to the village. Such would have undoubtedly been the case with Col Shaban Bantariza given his illustrious career in the Government and military.

However, the fact that Bantariza reportedly died of COVID-19, the road to Mitooma district, his final resting place, will undoubtedly have a few vehicles to escort the decorated soldier, whose death has drawn mixed reactions across the country.

Before COVID-19 claimed his life, Bantariza had for some time battled hypertension, according to government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo.However, not even hypertension could dissuade him from pursuing his political ambitions.

Bantariza's curtain has folded at a time when he was in the thick of the political action, mobilising support for his political party, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

This year, he also contested in the recently-concluded NRM central executive committee (CEC) polls to represent western Uganda, but pulled out of the race at the last hour, citing the intervention of President Yoweri Museveni. Housing state minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi emerged winner of the CEC position that Bantariza badly wanted to occupy.

TUMULTUOUS TIMES
Yet just like his time in the army, even in the arena of politics Bantariza courted controversy.For instance, during an NRM leaders' retreat last December, Bantariza drew criticism from a section of Ugandans when he said the Government cannot hand over power to the likes of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, the Kyadondo East MP, who recently declared intentions to run for president ahead of the 2021 general elections.

"I pity people who think the NRM government will hand over power, we would rather go back to the bush to sort out these people. I have my three guns on standby in my car, let Bobi Wine and his group continue with their kasukali (sugar), for us we don't use kasukali, we use fire and indeed we shall use fire to put off that kasukali to maintain peace," he was quoted as saying.

Critics, especially from the opposition camp, then accused Bantariza of inciting violence and threatening Ugandans with use of force to cling onto power. True to his soldier character, Bantariza stood by his word and declined to retract his statements.
Bantariza, served in the National Resistance Army and later Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF).At the height of his military troubles in 2011, Bantariza, then the director of the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi district, was suspended over claims that he was mismanaging the institute.

The then army commander, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima (RIP), informed Bantariza that he had been suspended with immediate effect and directed to leave office pending investigations into allegations of abuse of office, mismanagement of NALI funds as well as mishandling of personnel/trainees

Commenting on the issue at the time, the then army spokesperson, Brig. Felix Kulayigye, said: "There are issues we are investigating. I cannot say whether it is abuse of office, mishandling of personnel or mismanagement."

DETENTION
Yet despite the allegations and subsequent suspension from office, it took the army about two years to arrest Bantariza.On July 2, 2013, Bantariza was arrested by military intelligence officers from his home in Bweyogerere, Wakiso district and sent on remand to Makindye Military Prison over alleged fraud at NALI.

When he appeared before the General Court Martial chaired by Maj. Gen. Moses Ddiba Ssentogo, he was charged with three counts of fraud, including purporting to have purchased a tractor at sh67m.After a gruelling two years of trial, Bantariza was acquitted by the General Court Martial chairman Maj. Gen. Levi Karuhanga (RIP).Karuhanga said prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

WHO WAS BANTARIZA?
Baptised Sabastian, Bantariza was born in a Roman Catholic family in 1955. He went to a seminary and wanted to become a priest. He adopted the name Shaban. Until his demise, Bantariza was a staunch Catholic and he would regularly attend Mass at Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church Mbuya.

Bantariza studied at St Leo's College Kyegobe and Caltec Academy Makerere before joining the National Teachers College, Kyambogo for a diploma in education. From Kyambogo, Bantariza joined Makerere University for a degree in arts and later joined Kisubi Seminary, where he graduated as a Catholic brother."He would even wear a cassock," recalled his long-time comrade, Brig. Kulayigye.

From the seminary, Bantariza enrolled for a degree in education at Makerere University before he joined the NRA in 1985.Commenting from Arusha about the demise of his friend, the former UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Richard Karemire, said: "Comrade Shaban will always be remembered for his active participation in student politics at Makerere University when we fielded the late Brig. Noble Mayombo as our candidate for the guild president elections in 1989/1990. We had been granted permission to complete our university education having joined the NRA as students."

"Even after Norbert Mao (Democrat Party president) was declared the winner, alongside other comrades like Lt. Gen. James Mugira, comrade Shaban remained fully engaged to develop cadres at the university. We will always miss him," he added.After serving in different positions as a junior officer, the professional teacher-cum-soldier was appointed army spokesperson in 2002, replacing Col. Phinehas Katirima.

During his tenure as the mouthpiece of the army, Bantariza was known for his eloquence and no-holds-barred approach to issues related to the UPDF.Bantariza was replaced as army spokesperson in 2005, and sent for further studies at the Senior Command and Staff College, Kimaka.

Upon graduation in 2007, he was appointed as deputy chief political commissar of the army and commandant of the Oliver Tambo College, Kaweweta. From Kaweweta, he was posted to head NALI in 2009.Although Bantariza was acquitted, he remained without deployment (katebe) for quite some time until June 2015, when the President appointed him the Uganda Media Centre deputy executive director, a position he held until his death.

Yet, according to colleagues, it was his informative and witty statements that stood out during UPDF's engagements with the now defeated Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel outfit in northern Uganda, during his army spokesperson days.

Bantariza's bellicosity during debate and sharp siasa technique that he deployed to win over contrary views also endeared him to many enemies and frenemies.For instance, while analysing the performance of the UPDF against the LRA in December 2003, Bantariza said the army, through ‘Operation Iron Fist' killed 824 LRA rebels, captured 279, while another 434 reported or surrendered to the UPDF.

He also said they rescued 4,632 people abducted by the rebels.For his eloquence, he was christened ‘Uganda's Chemical Ali', alluding to the former army spokesperson in Sadam Hussein's regime."He laid the foundation for media-military relations. His command of three international languages — English, French and Latin, made him and a formidable and eloquent public debater," Kulayigye said.

ARMY CAREER
•    2009-2012—Commandant NALI, Kyankwanzil
•    2008-2009: Commandant Oliver Tambo Leadership School, Kawewetal
•    2007-2008: Chairman Division Court Martial, Kakiri I Infantryl 2007: Deputy Chief Political Commissar
•    2001-2005: UPDF spokesperson
•    1993-1994: Administrative officer, Anti-Smuggling Unit, Uganda Revenue Authorityl
•    1989-1992: Political commissariat instructor at Bombo Military Academyl
•    1985: Joined the National Resistance Army (NRA) as R/O:06361.

EULOGIES TO BANTARIZA
Ofwono said Bantariza, who also served as his deputy, was admitted at Mulago Hospital on Saturday and has been in the intensive care unit."He was admitted on Saturday at Mulago Hospital with hypertension related illnesses.

He died on Tuesday morning at 2:00am," Ofwono said, noting that the burial programme will be released after consultations with all stakeholder.

The UPDF spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, said: "The UPDF family with great sadness have learnt of the passing on of the deputy executive director of Uganda Media Centre and deputy government spokesperson, col (rtd) Bantariza at Mulago Hospital.
May his soul rest in peace."The NRM party mourned Bantariza, describing him as a "gallant son" of the country who mentored many people."Uganda has lost a gallant son at a time we needed him most.

He will always be remembered as a soldier who transformed and mentored very many young people through NALI in Kyankwanzi, and above all an ardent supporter and member of NRM," Justine Kasule Lumumba, the NRM secretary general, said  Wednesday.