Gen Muntu, Mao mourn Gen Biraaro

The national coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation party, Maj Gen (rtd) Mugisha Muntu and Democratic Party president Nobert Mao have joined other Ugandans to mourn the death of former Presidential candidate retired Maj. Gen. Benon Biraaro.

Gen Biraaro died on Wednesday morning at Kampala Hospital after a long battle against cancer.

He was the former Bush Warfighter and former Presidental candidate in the 2016 general elections, leading the Farmers Party of Uganda.

"Today, our country lost a patriot. Gen. Biraaro served his country diligently. Amidst all the temptations of power he has passed on by God's Grace before bowing to the sense of entitlement that many within our ranks who fought the Bush war succumbed to," Muntu said in a tweet on Wednesday.

Muntu, a former Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) commander, who also served as party president for Forum for Democratic Change, said Biraro stuck to the ideals they fought for and never bowed to what has completely derailed the cause for which they made significant sacrifices.

"He did not succumb to greed and arrogance that have seen many lose bearing. He may not have often been critical in open public fora but I know that he boldly expressed his views to the powers that be on the most critical political and constitutional challenges of our time even when he was still in uniform," he stated.

Mao also took to his Twitter handle and said he was saddened to learn of the death of Gen. Biraaro.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, the UPDF and all citizens of Uganda. I pay tribute to him for being an officer and a gentleman. He will be remembered for his passion for national transformation," he said.