Govt to recognise Kayiira fighters on Heroes Day

Prominent fighters from the Dr Andrew Kayiira-led Uganda Freedom Movement (UFM) are some of the outstanding Ugandans that Government will recognise during Heroes' Day celebrations on Sunday.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday at the Uganda Media Centre, the Minister for Presidency, Ester Mbayo said freedom fighters such as the late Dr Andrew Kayiira and the late George Nkwanga, who led FEDEMU, contributed towards the liberation struggle of the country.

Singling out the role that UFM and FEDEMU played, Mbayo said, the Heroes Day celebrations on Sunday will be held at Kasanje Town Council in Wakiso district, a place where Kayiira and Nkwanga's group strongly fought against Dr Apollo Milton Obote's Uganda People's Congress (UPC) Government before joining troops with the National Resistance Movement/ Army group led by President Yoweri Museveni.

 "Basing on facts related to the arms strangle, Kasanje was a fighting corridor against the fascist regime of UPC in 1980s and was at first dominated by the Uganda Freedom Movement (UFM) led by the late Dr Andrew Kayiira before they joined hands with another fighting group FEDEMU of the late George Nkwanga. These two later merged with the NRA en-route to liberating Uganda in 1986," she said.

Mbayo said UFM/FEDEMU fighters that will be recognised, include, Maj. Gen. Kasirye Gwanga, late George Nkwanga, Brig. Adda Hussein (rtd), Brig. Mark Kodili (rtd)   Col. Kalyesubula (rtd), Capt. Kiwanuka, Maj. Rwamiti Nyago, Capt. Kamya Nkima, Capt. Paul Kavuma, Maj. Nsubuga and Lt. Nansera Lubega.

President Yoweri Museveni will be the chief guest at the event.

"What is critical about Kasanje and Mpigi areas is that they suffered brutal arrests and death of the citizens especially after the botched attack on the Lubiri barracks by the UFM forces in early 1982," Mbayo said. 

"In Mpigi District, hundreds of lives were lost to the whims of these state agents of the ruling Uganda People's Congress (UPC) government as they "assisted" the army in hunting down anti-government rebels," she added.

At the time, Mbayo said, Kasanje was represented in Parliament by former Democratic Party president, Dr Paulo Kawanga Ssemogerere from1980 to 1985.

"The Uganda Freedom Movement rebels and later the Federal Democratic Movement (FEDEMU) considered this predominantly DP district a natural haven for their activities. In reaction, the UPC government apparently condemned Mpigi as a rebel territory and unleashed state forces without mercy," she said.

The celebrations are organised under the theme, 'celebrating the courageous Heroes that brought the peace and prosperity we are enjoying.'