Lt. Gen. Museveni Rewards 82 Heroes

LIEUTENANT General Yoweri Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of the UPDF has awarded medals to 82 people who contributed significantly to the liberation struggle of 1981-86, reports Felix Osike. The medals were presented to the beneficiaries at the 12th Heroes Day celebrations at Kololo airstrip on Saturday. Museveni said, "I salute all those who took part in one way or another in the resistance against dictatorship and primitive fascism." He said the awards would in future be extended to other areas of public endeavours including the academic field. The Army spokesman, Lt. Col Phinehas Katirima, said more names would be presented for similar awards in future. "Those who have not got should be patient. We even have a plan to decentralise the awards to the districts," he said. Museveni presented the DAMU (blood) medal to the first batch of 10 senior UPDF officers. They are; Major Generals, Elly Tumwine, Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), David Tinyefuza, and Mugisha Muntu. Others are Brig. Henry Tumukunde, Colonels Julius Chihandae (rtd) and Taban Kyabihende, Lt. Col. Silver Oyera, Maj. Godfrey Sambwa and Capt. Tom Kabuye. The DAMU award is meant for those who were either wounded in action or killed during the liberation struggle. It will also cover casualties at the Mubende Rehabilitation centre, who were injured while fighting insurgents. Forty political military leaders received the Luwero Triangle medal for their general participation in the struggle. This is in addition to the 20 UPDF officers who received their awards on October 9, 1995 in Fort Portal. Some of them were given honorary military ranks. They include Brig. Eriya Kategaya, Col. Alhajji Moses Kigongo and Lt. Katenta Apuuli. Military officers who received the Luweero Triangle award include, Capt. Oliver Zizinga, Capt. Gertrude Njuba, Colonels Kahinda Otafire, Julius Chihandae, Pecos Kutesa, Peter Kerim, Samuel Waswa, Levi Karuhanga, Stephen Rwabantu, John Mugume, Geoffrey Taban, Nasuru Amin, James Sebaggala, Kasirye Ggwanga, Sam Kawaga, Arthur Musinguzi, Benon Biraro, Livingstone Katerega, Fred Bogere, Aronda Nyakairima, Hudson Mukasa and Elly Kayanja. Others are Lieutenant Colonels, Tumusime Nyakaitana, Joram Tumwine, Phinehas Katirima, Prossy Nalweyiso, Jackson Bell, Silver Oyera, Andrew Lutaaya, Vincent Ssessanga, Jack Mishambi, Jacob Musajjawaza, David Kaboyo and Eric Mukasa. Senior UPDF officers who received the Luweero Triangle medal included Maj. Gen. David Tinyefuza, Maj. Gen. Jeje Odongo, Brigadiers, James Kazini, Ivan Koreta, Jim Muhwezi, Henry Tumukunde, Matayo Kyaligonza (rtd) and Steven Kashaka. Others are Mrs. Joviah Saleh, Prof. Tumwine, Dr. Gwasaze, Dr. James Makumbi, and Dr. Warren Namara. Hajji Abdul Naduli, MulangiraWalugembe, Kagulire, John Kaddu, Samuel Kabonge, Sempa and Mzee Mbajja were given honorary ranks of lieutenant and received the same medal. Thirty political leaders received the Nalubaale medal for their general participation in the struggle. They include, National Political Commissar, James Wapakhabulo, Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, Matthew Rukikaire, Kirunda Kivejinja, Shem Bageine, John Nagenda, Toro Princess Elizabeth Bagaya. Ambassadors Freda Blick and Edith Sempala, Ernest and Alice Kakwano, Sam Male, Zac Kaheru, Elly Rwakakoko, Dr. Jack Luyombya, Teddy Wamusi, James Tumusiime, Justin Sabiiti and minister Dr. Fabius Byaruhanga also got medals. Eleven other civilians from different districts, which constitute the Luweero Triangle, the cradle of the liberation, also received the Nalubaale award. Katirima said the target for the Luweero Triangle medals was 20,000 former NRA fighters while those who participated in the Anti Idi Amin struggle of 1971-79 would be given the Kagera medal. He said those who have been involved in counter revolutionary activities against insurgents since 1986 would get the Kyoga award. Katirima said medals for individual meritorious performance and valour will also be given out in the future. Other medals for civilians with meritorious performance have also been put in place. Ends