Museveni to probe Bukenya son’s death
Nov 11, 2009
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has praised the late son to Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya for his decision to join the army after completing his law degree.
By Cyprian Musoke
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has praised the late son to Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya for his decision to join the army after completing his law degree.
Speaking at the funeral of Brian Bukenya yesterday, Museveni said he was going to probe the circumstances under which the accident occurred, wondering why they were travelling so early in the morning.
Brian Bukenya was accorded a three-gun salute by the UPDF during the burial at his father’s home in Kakiri, Wakiso district.
Museveni in his address said he called college commandant Maj. Gen Andrew Guti, who told him that their course was coming to an end and they gave them one day leave up to 5:00 pm. “That’s why he was travelling early, to make it back by 5:00 pm,†he told the mourners.
The President also ordered Guti to explain the circumstances under which Brian Bukenya and his colleagues travelled from Kabamba. Guti said Brian and his colleagues had permission to travel home.
The President said he would investigate whether all the occupants of the ill fated car wore seatbelts.
“If you analyse, you will find something wrong. Either the driver slept, or they were over speeding, or those two, plus not having seatbelts on.â€
Museveni said the deceased disproved the notion that educated people do not join the army.
Brian Bukenya, 26, who had been a law graduate from Coventry University in the UK, died on Sunday in a car accident on Mityana road.
The pickup truck he was travelling in overturned at Bujjuko. Five other people sustained serious injuries and were admitted in Mulago Hospital. Bukenya, a lawyer, was set to graduate as a cadet officer at Kabamba Military School next month.
“Joining the army is an honour to any one interested in serving their country. So I was very happy he had decided to join,†Museveni said.
He recounted how the Vice-President had consulted him on his son’s decision to join the army and he had given the green light.
“We cannot bring back Brian but we salute his patriotism because he showed it,†he said.
The deceased was laid to rest after a mass led by the Lugazi diocese bishop Mathias Ssekamanya, attended by Retired Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo, Monsignor John Wynand Katende, Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga and other clergy.
Also present was Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, Deputy Chief Justice Laetitia Kikonyogo, ministers, army and Police top brass, as well as MPs, district and local leaders.
The President said he had a problem when religious leaders, speaking about the dead, say that God has called them.
“Why does God only call Africans so early? When we had problems of AIDS, we would say: God has called them. Why doesn’t he call Europeans or Chinese or Japanese? These live up to an average of 79 years. But here life expectancy has just risen to 52 and we keep saying: God has called them. There is a problem here,†he noted.
He said he has buried four people since the year started. Three of the four, Isingiro Woman MP Vicky Kyaka, Father Albert Byaruhanga and Brian Bukenya, died in motor accidents.
“Do your part and God will do the rest. In this case, driving at night is very dangerous. On one part, the driver may sleep if he is tired,†he said.
Museveni also castigated drunk driving, binge drinking and substance abuse by Ugandan youth in Kampala.
“The children in Kampala are living very carefree lives which their parents should be addressing. Are we going to say that they are also being called,†he wondered.
Bukenya described his late son as more of a brother and trusted friend, whom he had entrusted to take care of his brothers and sisters.
He promised to take care of his three-month grand-son, Kagugube Gilbert.
Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga noted that Brian was so humble in the training school that one couldn’t tell he was the son of the Vice-President.
The Katikkiro J B Walusimbi delivered condolences on behalf of the Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, after Mulago hospital Director Dr. Ddumba presented the findings of a post mortem. Brian died of multiple bleeding in the head and lungs, he said.
Meanwhile, the driver of the pick-up truck has been detained. Lwanga Nathan is being held at Central Police Station in Kampala, according to a Police detective.
Lwanga, who is accused of reckless driving and speeding, yesterday recorded a statement about the accident.
Recollecting the final minutes before the crash, Lwanga reportedly told detectives that he failed to negotiate a bend at the spot.
“As I tried to dodge a pothole, there was an oncoming vehicle. When I tried to avoid it, I lost control of the vehicle I was driving. I struggled with it but I failed,†he said in his statement.
The 33-year-old driver claimed he fell unconscious after the accident. But it is not clear how he left the accident scene. He reported to the Police on Monday.
PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has praised the late son to Vice-President Gilbert Bukenya for his decision to join the army after completing his law degree.
Speaking at the funeral of Brian Bukenya yesterday, Museveni said he was going to probe the circumstances under which the accident occurred, wondering why they were travelling so early in the morning.
Brian Bukenya was accorded a three-gun salute by the UPDF during the burial at his father’s home in Kakiri, Wakiso district.
Museveni in his address said he called college commandant Maj. Gen Andrew Guti, who told him that their course was coming to an end and they gave them one day leave up to 5:00 pm. “That’s why he was travelling early, to make it back by 5:00 pm,†he told the mourners.
The President also ordered Guti to explain the circumstances under which Brian Bukenya and his colleagues travelled from Kabamba. Guti said Brian and his colleagues had permission to travel home.
The President said he would investigate whether all the occupants of the ill fated car wore seatbelts.
“If you analyse, you will find something wrong. Either the driver slept, or they were over speeding, or those two, plus not having seatbelts on.â€
Museveni said the deceased disproved the notion that educated people do not join the army.
Brian Bukenya, 26, who had been a law graduate from Coventry University in the UK, died on Sunday in a car accident on Mityana road.
The pickup truck he was travelling in overturned at Bujjuko. Five other people sustained serious injuries and were admitted in Mulago Hospital. Bukenya, a lawyer, was set to graduate as a cadet officer at Kabamba Military School next month.
“Joining the army is an honour to any one interested in serving their country. So I was very happy he had decided to join,†Museveni said.
He recounted how the Vice-President had consulted him on his son’s decision to join the army and he had given the green light.
“We cannot bring back Brian but we salute his patriotism because he showed it,†he said.
The deceased was laid to rest after a mass led by the Lugazi diocese bishop Mathias Ssekamanya, attended by Retired Archbishop Mpalanyi Nkoyooyo, Monsignor John Wynand Katende, Metropolitan Jonah Lwanga and other clergy.
Also present was Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi, Deputy Chief Justice Laetitia Kikonyogo, ministers, army and Police top brass, as well as MPs, district and local leaders.
The President said he had a problem when religious leaders, speaking about the dead, say that God has called them.
“Why does God only call Africans so early? When we had problems of AIDS, we would say: God has called them. Why doesn’t he call Europeans or Chinese or Japanese? These live up to an average of 79 years. But here life expectancy has just risen to 52 and we keep saying: God has called them. There is a problem here,†he noted.
He said he has buried four people since the year started. Three of the four, Isingiro Woman MP Vicky Kyaka, Father Albert Byaruhanga and Brian Bukenya, died in motor accidents.
“Do your part and God will do the rest. In this case, driving at night is very dangerous. On one part, the driver may sleep if he is tired,†he said.
Museveni also castigated drunk driving, binge drinking and substance abuse by Ugandan youth in Kampala.
“The children in Kampala are living very carefree lives which their parents should be addressing. Are we going to say that they are also being called,†he wondered.
Bukenya described his late son as more of a brother and trusted friend, whom he had entrusted to take care of his brothers and sisters.
He promised to take care of his three-month grand-son, Kagugube Gilbert.
Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga noted that Brian was so humble in the training school that one couldn’t tell he was the son of the Vice-President.
The Katikkiro J B Walusimbi delivered condolences on behalf of the Kabaka, Ronald Mutebi, after Mulago hospital Director Dr. Ddumba presented the findings of a post mortem. Brian died of multiple bleeding in the head and lungs, he said.
Meanwhile, the driver of the pick-up truck has been detained. Lwanga Nathan is being held at Central Police Station in Kampala, according to a Police detective.
Lwanga, who is accused of reckless driving and speeding, yesterday recorded a statement about the accident.
Recollecting the final minutes before the crash, Lwanga reportedly told detectives that he failed to negotiate a bend at the spot.
“As I tried to dodge a pothole, there was an oncoming vehicle. When I tried to avoid it, I lost control of the vehicle I was driving. I struggled with it but I failed,†he said in his statement.
The 33-year-old driver claimed he fell unconscious after the accident. But it is not clear how he left the accident scene. He reported to the Police on Monday.