Elderly woman reminisces old days with Ggwanga

Peregiya Namutebi, 75, a resident of Ggaba in Makindye division, says the death of Maj. Gen. Kasirye Ggwanga left her in deep sorrow. She says she has been friends with the fallen general since the 1980s.

Below, Namutebi narrates how she knew Ggwanga and the relationship they had.

I got to know Kasirye Gwanga through Maliko Ddumba. He was a friend of Ggwanga and my friend as well.

During the war in 1980 to overthrow Obote's government, I was a market vendor at Nakasero Market in Kampala where I used to sell fruits and vegetables. One day, Ddumba approached me and told me Kasirye Ggwanga and his friends needed necessities to use in the bush during the war.

They wanted food, medicine and clothes. I struggled to get the said items. After getting them, Ddumba's friend helped us deliver them to Ggwanga and other rebels in the bush.

Ggwanga kept on fighting but we were always in touch as friends. What I can say about him is that he always spoke the truth and was also a caring and loving person.

I related easily with him. We would prepare his clothes, medicine and food, which we would deliver personally to him.

During wartime, whenever the rebels were going to Nairobi and Libya for training and medication, I would help them by secretly carrying their passports and other documents they needed for travel. Ggwanga's documents were among those that I carried.

After the war, we would meet and talk once in a while.

From the time of the bush war, Ggwanga has been a focused person until his death.

Although he was a tough soldier, he freely chatted with civilians and advised them on several issues.