Adyebo is dead

Former Prime Minister George Cosmas Adyebo is dead, report A.G. Musamali and Denis Ochwich. Adyebo, 53, the MP for Kwania, Apac, died yesterday morning at the International Hospital, Kampala where he was admitted two weeks ago. The widow, Nelly, and a family member, Jacob Oduka, said at home in Kololo yesterday that doctors were yet to say the cause of Adyebo's death. They said the body was still at Mulago Hospital. Hope Kivengere, the presidential press secretary, said on phone that a Cabinet committee headed by information minister Basoga Nsadhu was meeting late yesterday to make funeral arrangements. Adyebo, who is also survived by four school-going children, had been battling with foot cancer which continually kept him away from Parliament for nearly three years. He first fell sick in December 1997 and was admitted to Mulago Hospital. In 1998, he was flown to a Germany for an operation. After returning from Germany, Adyebo accused the Government of failing to provide him with funds for treatment. Adyebo, who held a Master's degree in Science from Charles University, Czechoslovakia, was appointed prime minister on January 22, 1991 in a dramatic reshuffle announced by President Museveni. He replaced Dr. Samson Kisekka (RIP). Adyebo was born on June 18, 1947 to peasant parents William Ogwal and Giladeci Apio in Owiny village, Nambieso sub-county, Apac. He went to St. Pius XII Junior Secondary School in Aduku, St. Aloysious College Nyapea (O'Level) and Namilyango College for A'Level before going to study abroad. By the time he became Premier, Adyebo was NRC member for Kwania (1989-96). He had been an Apac District Councillor (1987-89) as well as Principal of the Uganda College of Commerce Aduku. Adyebo once said he had a list of the 100 most corrupt Ugandans. He never published the list. Several people from Lira and Apac said Adyebo was one of the most development-minded politicians. "He was a hardworking and open minded person who made some people hate him," Omara Atubo, MP for Otuke, said. Ends.