President mourns former Rukungiri district boss

CONDOLENCE   FUNERAL

RUKUNGIRI - President Yoweri Museveni has described late Charles Byabakama, 60, former Rukungiri district chairperson as a hero who initiated a change of government at an early age.

Museveni in his condolence message delivered by Rukungiri NRM chairperson, Jim Muhwezi during a district council meeting to honor fallen former district boss Charles Byabakama on Saturday at district council hall said that he knew Byabakama when he was in his early 20s after opposing the past regime to join NRM in 1980.

Charles Byabakama died on Friday at an age of 60 at Nakasero hospital where he had gone for a medical checkup since he has been toiling with stroke for over three years.

"I called president Museveni on Friday to tell him about the sudden death of comrade Byabakama and he was touched because he knew him in person," Muhwezi said.

Museveni said he remembers how Byabakama was harassed after 1980 elections by the Obote government and went to Rwanda where he took refuge until NRA captured Kasese and most parts of western Uganda.

President Museveni contributed sh40m to help in burial expenses and promised to come and comfort the family soon.

Muhwezi said that Byabakama was a uniting factor of Rukungiri and beyond.

Muhwezi said Byabakama was a unique leader who started as a primary school teacher, Chairman LC3, district councilor, RDC Rukungiri and Yumbe, district chairperson Rukungiri and then town council chairperson for Kebisoni.

"It's not easy for a leader to come from a level of RDC, district chairperson then to sub-county chairperson, he did that to show that he was down to the people," Muhwezi said.

Muhwezi praised the district council for honoring Byabakama and for resolving to start a big project in his name.

"There are streets in Kampala like Wilson Street or Fortpotral in Kabarole they were named after the people whom we don't know at all yet there are many Ugandans who have contributed to the development of this country like Byabakama who deserve to be remembered," he said

Charles Byabakama lost to Andrewson Katebire in 2016 general election the position of district chairperson. 

Last year when Kebisoni got a town council he stood and won the seat and has been the chairperson of Kebisoni town council up the time he breathed his last.

Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Rolland Mugume Kaginda said Byabakama was only one shielding FDC in the district.

"He was a person who would be near his opponent for advice and in due course he managed to stop youth who used to burn tyres in Rukungiri whenever they would get grieved," he said.

Kaginda said that unlike other leaders, Byabakama worked with all people regardless of the party affiliation. He urged other leaders to learn from him.

Byabakama was the chairperson Uganda farmers association Rukungiri and also a national delegate on the national farmer's forum. He served as PTA chairperson for Makobore and Muntuyera high school Kitunga.

The chief administrative officer, Elias Byamungu said the records available in the office shows that during Byabakama regime as district chairperson from 2011 to 2016 district used to be among the best 10 in the country in all sectors which has since declined up to 40s.

Charles Byabakama will be laid to rest tomorrow Sunday at his ancestral home, in Nyamambo kebisoni town council Rukungiri district.