What I remember about Binaisa...
Aug 06, 2010
Bidandi Ssali, People’s Progressive Party boss: I have lost a great friend and one of my political mentors, right from the early 1960’s.
Bidandi Ssali, People’s Progressive Party boss: I have lost a great friend and one of my political mentors, right from the early 1960’s. He was an amicable leader of integrity and loved his country.
Franco Ojur, Lira LC5
I remember Binaisa as Uganda’s first Attorney General.
He was instrumental in interpreting the law and above all was exemplary and cool-headed.
Elizabeth Bagaya
I’m devastated by the death of a fellow lawyer.
William Nyakatura, Toro Prime Minister
Binaisa was a democratic leader.
I remember him for amending the 1967 Constitution to abolish kingdoms in Uganda.
Cyprian Kasaija Winyi, Toro elder
Binaisa was a humorous and friendly man. He was a man of the people and was hard for someone to know that he was once the President of Uganda.
Ofwono Opondo, NRM deputy spokesman
He has lived his life to the full. We are glad he died in his home. He is the second President to die under a sitting Government, after Gen. Tito Okello.
GEORGE Bageya, politician Â
He was my boss at the directorate of intelligence from 1979-1980. One weakness he had was Binaisa did not differentiate between friends and foes, which was his undoing. He employed the first Musoga chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Sam Nanyumba, exciting the Basoga.
Samuel Magumba, an Iganga resident
Uganda was insecure at the time. Gunfire and thuggery reigned. Binaisa’s regime was merely a transition to better political times for Uganda as a nation.
Julius Peter Obonyo, Lira municipality
Binaisa ensured that Uganda became a republic, which united all Ugandans.
He was also a brilliant President and I think if he had stayed in power longer, he would have brought exceptional change to Uganda.
Nasser Rwaigera, NRM boss, Kahoora division
Binaisa came to Hoima and addressed a rally at Booma playgrounds, where he donated seeds, hoes and other farm implements in 1980. He was the first president to do this, free of charge. Uganda has also lost a good teacher of English.
Rtd. Col. Walter Ochora, Gulu RDC
We thank Binaisa for the contributions he made to Uganda. When he returned from exile, he continued to give good advice to the country’s leaders.
Akim Watenyeri, Bugisu UPC coordinator
When he had just taken over power, he came to Mbale in 1979. At a rally, he said he had come as an umbrella. Whoever punctured the umbrella had to face Oyite Ojok, the army chief of staff.
D. Kigenyi, town clerk Mbarara Municipality
Binaisa made many positive changes.
He diplomatically cooled the high tempers in Buganda, following the overthrow of Yusuf Lule.
James Tweheyo, Uganda Teachers’ Association
He struggled to unite Uganda. He was a dignified leader, who did not engage himself in intrigue. He also made sure the country continued growing.
Samuel Oduny, 60,
I remember Binaisa for writing the 1966 Constitution and put a copy in the pigeon holes of each of the MPs and was later discussed in the Parliament.
Anania Akera, 98,
Binaisa did not divide Uganda along tribal lines. He was a lovable leader who was straight-forward. Binaisa will be remembered as a leader who loved all Ugandans.
H. Birigenda, MD Hoima environmental project
Binaisa is the only president who went to exile and came back and worked with NRM government. He had Uganda at heart, was patriotic and worked for his country.
Yowasi Hyuha, former parish chief in bukedi
Bianaisa made a profound statement, while opening Busolwe Hospital. He said how it is overwhelming and exciting to be a president. Even if you are given the chance to be president for one day the dignity makes the seat sweet.
MARTIN Etoori, Tororo vice-chairperson
He was a humble, God-fearing and peace loving man. Politicians ought to emulate him because even after he was ousted out of office, he returned from exile and started a new life ,until he died.
Dawson Muloki Mauta, 60, the Bunyoli cultural leadeR
Binaisa was a democratic leader. Although Binaisa is famed for saying: “Entebbe ewooma,†(Power is addictive), he always emphasised democratic leadership and change of governance.
Olive Kairumba, a relative to Binaisa’s wife, the late Irene Kabamori
Binaisa was a good, friendly, kind-hearted and generous man.
Despite having separated from Kabamori, Binaisa attended her burial.
R. Eribankya, chief of HOIMA private vocational institutions
Binaisa uplifted the education standards by supporting technical and vocational institutions.
He went to London in 1980 and brought to Uganda tools for vocational and technical institutions and this was a good gesture towards the development of education in the country.
THE ADHOLA, Tieng Adhola cultural INSTITUTION
My first encounter with the late Binaisa was in 1960s when I was commissioner ministry of labour. There had was a crisis among the trade unions that was divided into two blocks, that is, western and communist respectively. He says at the climax of the conflict, the Government set up a commission of inquiry to resolve the matter. Binaisa was chairing the commission. He came up with a solution that ended the disharmony. He was also humorous.
COMPILED BY
Hope Mafaranga,
CHRIS OCOWUN, George Bita, Daniel Edyegu, Abdulkarim Ssengendo, Pascal Kwesiga, Moses Nampala
Franco Ojur, Lira LC5
I remember Binaisa as Uganda’s first Attorney General.
He was instrumental in interpreting the law and above all was exemplary and cool-headed.
Elizabeth Bagaya
I’m devastated by the death of a fellow lawyer.
William Nyakatura, Toro Prime Minister
Binaisa was a democratic leader.
I remember him for amending the 1967 Constitution to abolish kingdoms in Uganda.
Cyprian Kasaija Winyi, Toro elder
Binaisa was a humorous and friendly man. He was a man of the people and was hard for someone to know that he was once the President of Uganda.
Ofwono Opondo, NRM deputy spokesman
He has lived his life to the full. We are glad he died in his home. He is the second President to die under a sitting Government, after Gen. Tito Okello.
GEORGE Bageya, politician Â
He was my boss at the directorate of intelligence from 1979-1980. One weakness he had was Binaisa did not differentiate between friends and foes, which was his undoing. He employed the first Musoga chief of staff; Maj. Gen. Sam Nanyumba, exciting the Basoga.
Samuel Magumba, an Iganga resident
Uganda was insecure at the time. Gunfire and thuggery reigned. Binaisa’s regime was merely a transition to better political times for Uganda as a nation.
Julius Peter Obonyo, Lira municipality
Binaisa ensured that Uganda became a republic, which united all Ugandans.
He was also a brilliant President and I think if he had stayed in power longer, he would have brought exceptional change to Uganda.
Nasser Rwaigera, NRM boss, Kahoora division
Binaisa came to Hoima and addressed a rally at Booma playgrounds, where he donated seeds, hoes and other farm implements in 1980. He was the first president to do this, free of charge. Uganda has also lost a good teacher of English.
Rtd. Col. Walter Ochora, Gulu RDC
We thank Binaisa for the contributions he made to Uganda. When he returned from exile, he continued to give good advice to the country’s leaders.
Akim Watenyeri, Bugisu UPC coordinator
When he had just taken over power, he came to Mbale in 1979. At a rally, he said he had come as an umbrella. Whoever punctured the umbrella had to face Oyite Ojok, the army chief of staff.
D. Kigenyi, town clerk Mbarara Municipality
Binaisa made many positive changes.
He diplomatically cooled the high tempers in Buganda, following the overthrow of Yusuf Lule.
James Tweheyo, Uganda Teachers’ Association
He struggled to unite Uganda. He was a dignified leader, who did not engage himself in intrigue. He also made sure the country continued growing.
Samuel Oduny, 60,
I remember Binaisa for writing the 1966 Constitution and put a copy in the pigeon holes of each of the MPs and was later discussed in the Parliament.
Anania Akera, 98,
Binaisa did not divide Uganda along tribal lines. He was a lovable leader who was straight-forward. Binaisa will be remembered as a leader who loved all Ugandans.
H. Birigenda, MD Hoima environmental project
Binaisa is the only president who went to exile and came back and worked with NRM government. He had Uganda at heart, was patriotic and worked for his country.
Yowasi Hyuha, former parish chief in bukedi
Bianaisa made a profound statement, while opening Busolwe Hospital. He said how it is overwhelming and exciting to be a president. Even if you are given the chance to be president for one day the dignity makes the seat sweet.
MARTIN Etoori, Tororo vice-chairperson
He was a humble, God-fearing and peace loving man. Politicians ought to emulate him because even after he was ousted out of office, he returned from exile and started a new life ,until he died.
Dawson Muloki Mauta, 60, the Bunyoli cultural leadeR
Binaisa was a democratic leader. Although Binaisa is famed for saying: “Entebbe ewooma,†(Power is addictive), he always emphasised democratic leadership and change of governance.
Olive Kairumba, a relative to Binaisa’s wife, the late Irene Kabamori
Binaisa was a good, friendly, kind-hearted and generous man.
Despite having separated from Kabamori, Binaisa attended her burial.
R. Eribankya, chief of HOIMA private vocational institutions
Binaisa uplifted the education standards by supporting technical and vocational institutions.
He went to London in 1980 and brought to Uganda tools for vocational and technical institutions and this was a good gesture towards the development of education in the country.
THE ADHOLA, Tieng Adhola cultural INSTITUTION
My first encounter with the late Binaisa was in 1960s when I was commissioner ministry of labour. There had was a crisis among the trade unions that was divided into two blocks, that is, western and communist respectively. He says at the climax of the conflict, the Government set up a commission of inquiry to resolve the matter. Binaisa was chairing the commission. He came up with a solution that ended the disharmony. He was also humorous.
COMPILED BY
Hope Mafaranga,
CHRIS OCOWUN, George Bita, Daniel Edyegu, Abdulkarim Ssengendo, Pascal Kwesiga, Moses Nampala