Ugandans Mourn Rwigyema
Oct 03, 2002
TWELVE years after his death, former freedom fighter, Maj. Gen. Fred Rwigyema’s spirit still lives on in Uganda. <br>Lt. Gen. Salim
By Geofrey Kamali
Saleh, Rwigyema’s contemporary since their teens, declared at a memorial service held in his honour yesterday that, "In Uganda, his (Rwigyema’s) spirit has returned!"
Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigyema, is one of the original 27 soldiers who launched a guerrilla warfare against the Obote II regime in 1980.
The group, called the National Resistance Army (NRA), was headed by Yoweri Museveni.
Rwigyema was among the first cadres Museveni recruited and trained in Mozambique and Tanzania in guerrilla warfare.
After NRA took over power in 1986, Rwigyema was one of the top NRA commanders, rising to the rank of Major General and subsequently becoming Deputy Army Commander.
On October 1, 1990, Rwigyema led a group of Rwandans, who were refugees in Uganda, to liberate their country.
He was killed a day after the invasion, near the Rwanda-Uganda border. His death has never been well explained.
His Rwandan Liberation Army went on to capture power in Kigali.
A community of Rwandans yesterday gathered at the All Saints Church at Nakasero, Kampala, to remember his contribution to liberation struggles in the two countries. Ends
Saleh, Rwigyema’s contemporary since their teens, declared at a memorial service held in his honour yesterday that, "In Uganda, his (Rwigyema’s) spirit has returned!"
Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigyema, is one of the original 27 soldiers who launched a guerrilla warfare against the Obote II regime in 1980.
The group, called the National Resistance Army (NRA), was headed by Yoweri Museveni.
Rwigyema was among the first cadres Museveni recruited and trained in Mozambique and Tanzania in guerrilla warfare.
After NRA took over power in 1986, Rwigyema was one of the top NRA commanders, rising to the rank of Major General and subsequently becoming Deputy Army Commander.
On October 1, 1990, Rwigyema led a group of Rwandans, who were refugees in Uganda, to liberate their country.
He was killed a day after the invasion, near the Rwanda-Uganda border. His death has never been well explained.
His Rwandan Liberation Army went on to capture power in Kigali.
A community of Rwandans yesterday gathered at the All Saints Church at Nakasero, Kampala, to remember his contribution to liberation struggles in the two countries. Ends