Maj Gen Kasirye Ggwanga dies in hospital

Jun 09, 2020

About three weeks ago, Ggwanga was transferred from the military hospital in Mbuya to Nakasero Hospital, where he breathed his last on Tuesday at the age of 67.

DEATH

KAMPALA - Retired senior army officer Maj. Gen. Kasirye Ggwanga, who died Tuesday at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala aged 67, has been described as a "hero and model" and "one of the best military officers Uganda has ever had".

At the end of this Heroes Day speech at State House, President Yoweri Museveni asked those in attendance to stand up for a minute of silence in honour of the fallen army officer.

Meanwhile, funeral arrangements got under way, with New Vision understanding that the army would take the lead in the funeral programme. A UPDF ambulance was seen arriving at Nakasero Hospital and later leaving with a UPDF hearse headed for Bombo.

Earlier, in the health facility's compound, a disconsolate man, later identified as Ggwanga's son, was seen breaking down, with the people around trying to comfort him.

In the weeks leading to his death, Ggwanga's state of health had been a subject of talk in public.

Some UPDF officials arrived at the hospital as journalists were restricted from entering the health facility's premises to avoid crowds in observance of the coronavirus guidelines. They had to wait outside for any official communication from Ggwanga's family or the army about his death.

Inside, it was an emotional mood as family and friends came to terms with the death of their own, who was transfered from the military hospital in Mbuya about three weeks ago to Nakasero Hospital.

'A hero and a model'

Lt. Col. Juma Seiko addressed journalists outside Nakasero Hospital on Tuesday


One of the high-profile people seen at Nakasero on Tuesday was Lt. Col. Juma Seiko, who told journalists outside the hospital gate that Ggwanga was one of the best military officers Uganda has ever had. "As Juma Seiko, I was his very good friend. I would say he was a hero and a model," he said.

A month before his death, Ggwanga advised Seiko to plant trees for commercial purposes. He took his advice and now plans to plant trees in his home district Kapchorwa next year. Seiko told reporters he plans to name that forest after Kasirye Ggwanga, who after retiring from the army in 2018, concentrated on farming.

ICT and national guidance minister Judith Nabakooba, also speaking at Nakasero Hospital, described Ggwanga as a "true patriot" whose death has left a huge gap.

(Additional reporting by David Lumu)

Scenes outside Nakasero Hospital

Journalists were blocked from accessing the Nakasero Hospital premises.

 


Born in 1952 in Mubende district, Ggwanga attained his primary education at Katakala Primary School, before advancing to Kibuli Secondary School for his O'Level education. Thereafter, he joined the Uganda Army in 1972, during the regime of Idi Amin.

After successful training, Ggwanga was posted to Arua in West Nile as a map reader. In 1978, he was promoted to the position of artillery officer.

In 1978, the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) invaded Uganda and in 1979, they captured Kampala and toppled President Amin. Ggwanga surrendered and was taken to Tanga in Tanzania as a prisoner of war.

In June 1980, President Godfrey Binaisa negotiated the return of the political prisoners to Uganda. They were first housed at Maluku Prison in Mbale District, before being later moved to Kirinya Prison. On October 7 in 1981, Ggwanga was in the first group to be released.

The events following Ggwanga's release, saw his elder brother Lt. James Kasirye, a military pilot, arrested, tortured and then killed when he refused to identify where his brother Ggwanga was hiding.

To avenge the killing of his brother, Ggwanga joined the UFA rebels, then about 650-strong. In 1985, he left UFA and joined Yoweri Museveni's National Resistance Army, which captured power in January 1986. During the drive to capture Kampala, Ggwanga commanded a 120mm artillery unit.

Between 1986 and 2005, Ggwanga served in several roles, including as the LC5 chairman for Mubende district and as director of stores in the UPDF.

On January 31, 2005, he was retired from the UPDF at the rank of brigadier. However, three months later, he returned to the military and asked to be re-instated. The UPDF commander-in-chief allowed him to rejoin on a renewable contract of five years.

Ggwanga, a married father, was a commercial farmer and owned two farms - one in Mubende and another in Mukono, which he referred to as Camp David.


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