Buganda's loyal chief who popularised electronics trade

CELEBRATING LIFE 

Many people usually give up on their aspirations when they get problems. They then start consoling themselves and blaming their suffering on their previous misfortunes.

Alex Benjamin Kigongo, the former chief of the Buganda Kingdom county of Kyaggwe (Ssekiboobo), was not the kind to easily get stuck in his past woes.

He always looked forward to achieving great things, even during the most difficult situations of his life.

Kigongo was one of the loyal subjects of the kingdom of Buganda. Like many of the kingdom's subjects, he was always saddened every time he remembered the 1966 political crisis, which led to the gross destruction of the kingdom of Buganda and the subsequent death in exile of Sir Edward Muteesa II, its king then.

But interestingly, despite his immense love for Buganda and the grief he had in his heart over the crisis that befell the kingdom, Kigongo remained hopeful that the kingdom would recover and shine again.

Kigongo was also deeply convinced that the recovery of Buganda and Uganda would be achieved through hard work, not unsustainable handouts.

So, in the early 1980s, together with his cousin, Kezekia Sseggwanga Musisi, Kigongo started an electronics shop at Kiyembe in Kampala.

Kigongo's shop was among the first of its kind in the city. In a way, he contributed to the socio-economic recovery of the kingdom of Buganda that he cherished so dearly and also the country's economic development.

Owing to his business acumen, Kigongo later started more electronics shops in other parts of the country, including Mukono and Gulu.

Kigongo's business skills were highlighted more clearly by his brother, Paul Kaddu.

"It is true that my brother was one of the pioneer electronics traders in Kampala. He had a unique business sense. He knew what could earn him money profitably in a given situation.

He practised commercial farming. He was also involved in the leisure business. He was the owner of Royal Taban in Mukono. He was a hands-on man. But even with all his businesses, he still found time to serve the kingdom of Buganda."

Kigongo was also acknowledged by many people for his peaceful negation skills, which helped Kyaggwe County to get back Ebyaffe from the central government.

Yozefu Kibra, a resident of Nekooyedde, Mukono, gave a testimony. "Kigongo was not confrontational in his approach. Because of his friendly negotiation methods, Kyaggwe county was able to get back its headquarters.

He taught Kabaka's subjects how to work hard. During his reign, Kyaggwe county won many sporting and agricultural competitions."

Kigongo was also praised passionately by the bishop of the Church of Uganda Diocese of Mukono, James William Ssebaggala, who acknowledged his immense love and contribution to the diocese's development.

"He loved God. He always came to Church and was supportive to its projects. He also supported his wife, Sarah Kigongo, to do her ministry as the head of the Mothers' Union."

We, members of Vision Group, also hail Kigongo for grooming his younger brother, Paul Kaddu, who was one of the pioneer journalists and, later, the deputy news editor of our sister paper, Bukedde.

Kigongo passed on March 31, following a heart related complication.

Alex Benjamin Kigongo

1955 to 2020