‘I stopped M7’s motorcade’

By James Bakama

YOU dare stand in front of a speeding presidential convoy at your own risk. But that is what one of the late Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso’s wives, Naome, did to draw the head of state’s attention to her ailing husband.

Naome’s brave act followed a financial crisis in the family. The family was at the time stretched to the limit by sh2m-per-week hospital bills.

Naome was tipped that Museveni would be travelling to Kapeeka, Luwero district.

“I drove to Kapeeka and stood on the highway when I heard the convoy. The cars screeched to a halt and the presidential guards pounced on me,” a composed Naome told mourners at her husband’s requiem mass at Our Lady of Africa Church in Mbuya yesterday.

She narrated that she was only saved by a concerned Museveni who asked to meet him. “I told him that my husband was dying and needed assistance. He asked for my number but I told him that was not enough.”

Naome was determined to make the best of the opportunity. “I told the President that Francis did a lot for the country and so deserved better.”

The President then made a sh2m cash offer. But Naome was not yet done. “I still told him that my husband’s death would be on him if the state did not assist.”

Naome’s act is said to have paid off with the Ministry of Defence assistance towards the hospital bills. Nyangweso served as Army Commander, Chief of Staff and Minister of Defence besides having numerous top positions in sports administration.

Deputy Army Commander, General Ivan Koreta represented UPDF at the church. Nyangweso’s pall bearers were two Major Generals and six Brigadiers. He will be accorded a full military burial tomorrow.

Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki described the late’s stint in the Idi Amin regime as that of a sane man in an insane leadership.