Honoured
RWANDAN President Paul Kagame was among 41 freedom fighters honoured for their role in Uganda’s armed struggle in what seemed another demonstration of improved relations between the two countries.
By Alfred Wasike
RWANDAN President Paul Kagame was among 41 freedom fighters honoured for their role in Uganda’s armed struggle in what seemed another demonstration of improved relations between the two countries.
Kagame’s name, along with that of slain Fred Rwigyema and President Yoweri Museveni, were inscribed on a monument in Kabamba barracks yesterday on the occasion of Tarehe Sita.
The army annually celebrates February 6 to commemorate the attack on Kabamba army garrison in 1981, which heralded the liberation war that brought the National Resistance Army to power.
Kagame, formerly a senior officer was among the men led by Yoweri Museveni who launched the attack, armed with only 27 rifles.
The 13 foot high Freedom Fighters Monument was unveiled yesterday afternoon by President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Rwanda was represented by a big military delegation, led by army chief James Kabarebe.
The event marked the climax of the Army Week, in which the UPDF was involved in community activities, such as slashing road sides, cleaning health centres and digging pit latrines in IDP camps.
In his address, Museveni said the NRA take-over prevented Uganda from sliding into anarchy like Somalia.
“We resolved to armed struggle because there was no other way we could prevent our country from sinking into what Somalia is today.
Comparing it to Cuba’s revolution, the President said the NRA struggle was unique in that they did not have rear bases or external support. He stressed that the liberation of Uganda succeeded not only because of the efforts of the soldiers but also because of the support of unarmed civilians, such as Ignatius Musaazi and Kununka.
“The main objective of our struggle was to ensure the end of extra-judicial killings, the restoration of human rights and the sovereignty of our people,†the President said.
Museveni criticised the opposition and certain media which were “misleading the population†about government programmes such as privatisation, calling them “oviyo†(useless) and “wajinga†(stupid).
Present at the ceremony were the army chiefs of Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania and South-Sudan, as well as military attaches of US, France, Belgium, Sudan, Russia and others.
The 41 who triggered off the liberation war:
1. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
2. Elly Tumwine
3. Sam Magara
4. Andrew Lutaaya
5. Julius Chihandae
6. Fred Mwesigye
7. George Mwesigwa
8. Mule Muwanga
9. Paul Kagame
10.Fred Rwigyema Gisa
11.Jack Muchunguzi
12.Topher Agaba
13.Charles Rutarago
14.Stanley Muhangi
15. Byaruhanga Akanga
16. Elijah
17. Mugabi Nkuba
18. Sam Byaruhanga
19. Enock Mondo Tumuhairwe
20. Frank Kifuba Kamuninga
21. Paul Kagina
22. Arthur Kasasira
23. Kyakabale
24. Mugabi Muyari
25. Shaban Kashanku
26. Rauben Ikondere
27. Nathan Mwenemzee
28. David Ndayondi
29. Julius Aine
30. Fred Kashoma
31. Robert Kabura
32. Mwebaze Kamwanamwana
33. Stevenson Kazahura
34. Kyakabare Kato Guderia
35. Iraq Tumusiime Katungyera
36. Mariuce Katungi Suicide
37. Aziz B.K.
38. Francis Daku
39. Vio
40. Kangaho Andrew
41. Ngoboka
RWANDAN President Paul Kagame was among 41 freedom fighters honoured for their role in Uganda’s armed struggle in what seemed another demonstration of improved relations between the two countries.
Kagame’s name, along with that of slain Fred Rwigyema and President Yoweri Museveni, were inscribed on a monument in Kabamba barracks yesterday on the occasion of Tarehe Sita.
The army annually celebrates February 6 to commemorate the attack on Kabamba army garrison in 1981, which heralded the liberation war that brought the National Resistance Army to power.
Kagame, formerly a senior officer was among the men led by Yoweri Museveni who launched the attack, armed with only 27 rifles.
The 13 foot high Freedom Fighters Monument was unveiled yesterday afternoon by President Museveni, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Rwanda was represented by a big military delegation, led by army chief James Kabarebe.
The event marked the climax of the Army Week, in which the UPDF was involved in community activities, such as slashing road sides, cleaning health centres and digging pit latrines in IDP camps.
In his address, Museveni said the NRA take-over prevented Uganda from sliding into anarchy like Somalia.
“We resolved to armed struggle because there was no other way we could prevent our country from sinking into what Somalia is today.
Comparing it to Cuba’s revolution, the President said the NRA struggle was unique in that they did not have rear bases or external support. He stressed that the liberation of Uganda succeeded not only because of the efforts of the soldiers but also because of the support of unarmed civilians, such as Ignatius Musaazi and Kununka.
“The main objective of our struggle was to ensure the end of extra-judicial killings, the restoration of human rights and the sovereignty of our people,†the President said.
Museveni criticised the opposition and certain media which were “misleading the population†about government programmes such as privatisation, calling them “oviyo†(useless) and “wajinga†(stupid).
Present at the ceremony were the army chiefs of Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania and South-Sudan, as well as military attaches of US, France, Belgium, Sudan, Russia and others.
The 41 who triggered off the liberation war:
1. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
2. Elly Tumwine
3. Sam Magara
4. Andrew Lutaaya
5. Julius Chihandae
6. Fred Mwesigye
7. George Mwesigwa
8. Mule Muwanga
9. Paul Kagame
10.Fred Rwigyema Gisa
11.Jack Muchunguzi
12.Topher Agaba
13.Charles Rutarago
14.Stanley Muhangi
15. Byaruhanga Akanga
16. Elijah
17. Mugabi Nkuba
18. Sam Byaruhanga
19. Enock Mondo Tumuhairwe
20. Frank Kifuba Kamuninga
21. Paul Kagina
22. Arthur Kasasira
23. Kyakabale
24. Mugabi Muyari
25. Shaban Kashanku
26. Rauben Ikondere
27. Nathan Mwenemzee
28. David Ndayondi
29. Julius Aine
30. Fred Kashoma
31. Robert Kabura
32. Mwebaze Kamwanamwana
33. Stevenson Kazahura
34. Kyakabare Kato Guderia
35. Iraq Tumusiime Katungyera
36. Mariuce Katungi Suicide
37. Aziz B.K.
38. Francis Daku
39. Vio
40. Kangaho Andrew
41. Ngoboka