UNTOLD STORY OF GEN. KASIRYE GGWANGA
Kasirye was a listening post for NRA in UFM and FEDEMU. Later, a section of FEDEMU led by Nkwanga and Kasirye joined Lutwa’s junta. Such a move benefited NRA since Kasirye would provide them with information
Before Dr Milton Obote was removed from power, on January 25, 1971, Kasendwa Ddumba was one of his senior spies in General Service Unit (GSU), headed by Akena Adoko.
Later during the 1980 general elections, Obote’s party, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) sponsored Kasendwa as its parliamentary candidate for Rakai Central constituency. He was defeated by Haji Mudrikati Mukasa of the Democratic Party (DP). Mukasa got 20,182 votes, while Kasendwa received 2,674 votes only.
After Obote became president again, on December 15, 1980, he appointed Kasendwa as the head of the National Security Agency (NASA).
One morning, Kasendwa met Obote on fourth floor of Parliament Building and presented to him a security report in which Kasendwa implicated Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, Archbishop of Kampala for clandestinely helping Uganda Freedom Movement (UFM) rebels towards sneaking Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s donated weapons into the country.
And so, Kasendwa pleaded with Obote to order his armed forces to go to Rubaga Cathedral and arrest Cardinal Nsubuga over treason.
Shocked by Kasendwa’s request, Obote replied: “If there are any arms at the cardinal’s place as you claim; go and remove them.
Regarding your request to arrest the cardinal, I am not prepared to create another martyr after Archbishop Janani Luwum.”
Within the period that Kasendwa wanted the cardinal arrested, is also when the 30-year-old Kasirye Ggwanga joined UFM with the purpose of avenging murder his brother, Lt. James Kasirye Kaggwa, who was shot four times inside Makindye Barracks, by Obote’s soldiers on March 2, 1982.
TALES IN UFM
Kasirye was recruited through UFM cell inside Kabanda Ntwatwa’s shop in Nakasero, Kampala. Thereafter, Lt. Yahaya Mulindwa sneaked him to UFM camp, along Mityana Road. UFM fighters were amazed by Kasirye’s dress code. He usually put on a sweater first, then a brown overall outfit and a jacket.
His jungle shoes and caps were products of American company, Timberland LLC.
Kasirye was immediately included on UFM High Command because of his military experience in President Idi Amin’s army. The other members of the high command were Dr.
Andrew Kayiira (commander in chief), Hussein
Adda (army commander), Mark Kodili (chief of staff), Lt. Henry Mutire (head of training), Joseph Ssebaggala alias Ssalambwa and Medi Bwana, among others.
Kasirye had two escorts Sgt. Magezi and Vincent Musisi Kigumba. He personally selected them out of the 480 recruits that had been trained by Mutire at Nalubogo, in March 1982. Kasirye was among the commanders of the Red Eagle unit, in Nalweyo.
Kasirye usually woke up very early, at 3:00am, in order to smoke his things. By 5:00am, he was on alert, waiting to hear any cock crowing in the nearby village. The moment they heard a rooster crow, an excited Kasirye would order his escort, Kigumba to go and capture it, even if it meant grabbing that cock from a witchdoctor’s shrine. By the way, it was punishable for Kigumba to return without it.
And whenever Kigumba returned with a good-sized cock, a delighted Kasirye would stand near the fireplace where it was being roasted. And after the cock was well-roasted, Kasirye would eat it alone, thereby confirming a famous Luganda saying - omusajja omu alya enkoko ye (a man can eat his whole cock alone).
Kasirye’s escorts were always annoyed seeing him eat the whole cock without sharing with them even a drumstick. No wonder, Kigumba and Bukko once connived and stole the whole cock after Kigumba had roasted it for Kasirye. The theft took place when Kasirye was sound asleep because he was drunk on waragi provided to him by Cpl. Richard Kafarakata. When Kasirye woke up with glee at 3:00am, hoping to eat the roasted cock, he was surprised to find nothing. Thus, a saddened Kasirye loudly lamented: “Haa, ba gayi banzibye!” (Ha, these guys have robbed me!).
DOUBLE LOYALTY
When Kasirye was still a commander in UFM, he mysteriously travelled to Nairobi, Kenya in mid 1982 and met with supporters of a rival rebel group, National Resistance Army/ Movement (NRA/M). They included Dr Samson Kisekka, Wasswa Biriggwa, Edward Mugalu and Prof. Masembe Kanyerezi, among others. They lured him to defect to NRA. No wonder, on his way back, Kasirye first went to NRA’s camp (Abdul Nasser) at Matugga, Gombe. Matayo Kyaligonza received him and, thereafter, introduced him to NRA commanders: Yoweri Museveni, Salim Saleh and Fred Rwigyema. After spending three days with NRA commanders, Kasirye went back to UFM camp.
Aware that Kasirye had agreed to serve as NRA’s ears and eyes within UFM, some UFM commanders plotted to murder him. However, Kayiira stopped them. Not long after, Obote’s forces attacked with precision all UFM camps.
Out of those assaults, they arrested top UFM commanders including Kodili, Adda and Bwami.
As a result, Kayiira fled from Nakasajja camp and hid in Muduuma, where he was picked by Emmanuel Kayiwa in a Land Rover, belonging to Uganda Commercial Bank.
On August 24, 1982, Kayiira boarded a boat at Ggaba landing site and fled to Kawangware, Kenya.
On the other hand, Kasirye and 638 UFM fighters moved to Busujju, in September 1982.
Later, Kasirye travelled to Kenya locating Kayiira. Aware that Kasirye had arrived in Nairobi, Kayiira instructed his associate, Sam Matte Mukasa (former headmaster of Makerere College School) not to let Kasirye know of his whereabouts. Eventually, Kayiira agreed to meet Kasirye.
Tough words were exchanged in that meeting as Kayiira kept asking Kasirye why he left Uganda without the consent of other UFM commanders. When Kasirye asked Kayiira about UFM’s next war plan, Kayiira refused to tell him. Instead, Kayiira ordered Kasirye to return to Uganda immediately.
NEW REBEL GROUP
By the time Kasirye returned to Uganda, in September 1983, UFM was no more. Most of its fighters likesuch as George Nkwanga and Stephen Ndugutse alias Kalisoliso had transited in a new rebel group, Federal Movement of Uganda (FEDEMU). Its political head was Lawrence Semakula.
On return, Kasirye also transited into FEDEMU and even headed its training wing, Haganah School of combat in Busujju.
One time, Kasirye commanded FEDEMU fighters and they attacked Obote’s soldiers and UPC youth wingers detach in Mityana. They captured five guns after killing three UPC youth wingers.
Whenever Obote’s fighters attacked FEDEMU positions, Kasirye preferred to hide alone. And in case a fighter insisted on following him into hiding, Kasirye would angrily shout at him: “Tonkubira kisinde. Ate nja kukutta. (Don’t make trails for me. I will kill you.”
As earlier noted, Kasirye was a listening post for NRA in UFM and FEDEMU. That is why when the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Rakai North, Luke Kazinja joined FEDEMU, Kasirye pleaded with him: “You are an educated man to join this group. Can I make arrangements so that you cross to NRA?” Kazinja declined.
NRA/UPDF TENURE
When Kayiira abandoned the war in 1982, he settled in the US.
Later in July 1985, when Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa took over power, he appointed Kayiira on the ruling council. On his way to Uganda, Kayiira had a crucial meeting in South Nairobi at the residence of Emmanuel Pinto. Thereafter, he returned to Uganda in a chartered plane belonging to Bell Air. He came along with Dan Ssozi, Katongole of Mawogola and Alex Bagenda, among others. Kayiira and his entourage were offered free accommodation in Hotel Diplomat by Bonny Katatumba.
Later, a section of FEDEMU led by Nkwanga and Kasirye joined Lutwa’s junta. Such a move benefited NRA since Kasirye would provide them with proceedings of Lutwa’s government negotiations with Nkwanga’s group.
That is why Kasirye was suspected and was later arrested by Lutwa’s forces. Eventually, he was released on the intervention of Maj. Fred Kiberu alias Mpiso. Following his release from Lubiri Barracks, Kasirye officially joined NRA in Lwengo, in August 1985.
Given his prowess in artillery, Kasirye worked with NRA’s 11th battalion commander, Chefe Ali and captured Nateete, Busega, Nakulabye, Wandegeya and Kololo Summit View. As a reward, Kasirye was appointed to lieutenant colonel, on February 6, 1988.
He shared the same rank with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Mugisha Muntu, Jim Muhwezi, Ivan Koreta, Sserwanga Lwanga, Chefe Ali, Andrew Lutaaya, Ahmed Kashilingi, Ronald Bata, Nasur Ezaruk, Peter Kerim, Samson Mande, Stephen Kashaka, Stanley Muhangi, Frank Guma, Julius Aine and Patrice Lumumba, among others.
On the other hand, Kayiira was appointed as the minister of energy in President Museveni’s first cabinet in 1986. At that time, Kayiira was doing import business with his associate, Muyanja Mbabali (now Bukoto South MP).
The returns from that business enabled Kayiira to purchase 200 acres of land in Mukono. He hoped to set up a modern farm, but he was unsuccessful.
On the other hand, Kasirye remained a serving officer in the army. Actually, in 1998, when Andrew Felix Kaweesi wanted to join the army, Kasirye advised him against it. Thus, Kaweesi opted to join the Police force.
In 2005, Kasirye applied for retirement and his wish was granted. He retired for only three months and, thereafter, applied to rejoin the army, after he received huge water and electricity bills. President Museveni reinstated him in the army, until his final retirement in 2018, at the rank of major general.
Muwonge C W Magembe RESEARCHER Send your comments on this story to Sunday@newvision.co.ug or contact writer on 0778326940
Before Dr Milton Obote was removed from power, on January 25, 1971, Kasendwa Ddumba was one of his senior spies in General Service Unit (GSU), headed by Akena Adoko.
Later during the 1980 general elections, Obote’s party, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) sponsored Kasendwa as its parliamentary candidate for Rakai Central constituency. He was defeated by Haji Mudrikati Mukasa of the Democratic Party (DP). Mukasa got 20,182 votes, while Kasendwa received 2,674 votes only.
After Obote became president again, on December 15, 1980, he appointed Kasendwa as the head of the National Security Agency (NASA).
One morning, Kasendwa met Obote on fourth floor of Parliament Building and presented to him a security report in which Kasendwa implicated Emmanuel Cardinal Nsubuga, Archbishop of Kampala for clandestinely helping Uganda Freedom Movement (UFM) rebels towards sneaking Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s donated weapons into the country.
And so, Kasendwa pleaded with Obote to order his armed forces to go to Rubaga Cathedral and arrest Cardinal Nsubuga over treason.
Shocked by Kasendwa’s request, Obote replied: “If there are any arms at the cardinal’s place as you claim; go and remove them.
Regarding your request to arrest the cardinal, I am not prepared to create another martyr after Archbishop Janani Luwum.”
Within the period that Kasendwa wanted the cardinal arrested, is also when the 30-year-old Kasirye Ggwanga joined UFM with the purpose of avenging murder his brother, Lt. James Kasirye Kaggwa, who was shot four times inside Makindye Barracks, by Obote’s soldiers on March 2, 1982.
TALES IN UFM
Kasirye was recruited through UFM cell inside Kabanda Ntwatwa’s shop in Nakasero, Kampala. Thereafter, Lt. Yahaya Mulindwa sneaked him to UFM camp, along Mityana Road. UFM fighters were amazed by Kasirye’s dress code. He usually put on a sweater first, then a brown overall outfit and a jacket.
His jungle shoes and caps were products of American company, Timberland LLC.
Kasirye was immediately included on UFM High Command because of his military experience in President Idi Amin’s army. The other members of the high command were Dr.
Andrew Kayiira (commander in chief), Hussein
Adda (army commander), Mark Kodili (chief of staff), Lt. Henry Mutire (head of training), Joseph Ssebaggala alias Ssalambwa and Medi Bwana, among others.
Kasirye had two escorts Sgt. Magezi and Vincent Musisi Kigumba. He personally selected them out of the 480 recruits that had been trained by Mutire at Nalubogo, in March 1982. Kasirye was among the commanders of the Red Eagle unit, in Nalweyo.
Kasirye usually woke up very early, at 3:00am, in order to smoke his things. By 5:00am, he was on alert, waiting to hear any cock crowing in the nearby village. The moment they heard a rooster crow, an excited Kasirye would order his escort, Kigumba to go and capture it, even if it meant grabbing that cock from a witchdoctor’s shrine. By the way, it was punishable for Kigumba to return without it.
And whenever Kigumba returned with a good-sized cock, a delighted Kasirye would stand near the fireplace where it was being roasted. And after the cock was well-roasted, Kasirye would eat it alone, thereby confirming a famous Luganda saying - omusajja omu alya enkoko ye (a man can eat his whole cock alone).
Kasirye’s escorts were always annoyed seeing him eat the whole cock without sharing with them even a drumstick. No wonder, Kigumba and Bukko once connived and stole the whole cock after Kigumba had roasted it for Kasirye. The theft took place when Kasirye was sound asleep because he was drunk on waragi provided to him by Cpl. Richard Kafarakata. When Kasirye woke up with glee at 3:00am, hoping to eat the roasted cock, he was surprised to find nothing. Thus, a saddened Kasirye loudly lamented: “Haa, ba gayi banzibye!” (Ha, these guys have robbed me!).
DOUBLE LOYALTY
When Kasirye was still a commander in UFM, he mysteriously travelled to Nairobi, Kenya in mid 1982 and met with supporters of a rival rebel group, National Resistance Army/ Movement (NRA/M). They included Dr Samson Kisekka, Wasswa Biriggwa, Edward Mugalu and Prof. Masembe Kanyerezi, among others. They lured him to defect to NRA. No wonder, on his way back, Kasirye first went to NRA’s camp (Abdul Nasser) at Matugga, Gombe. Matayo Kyaligonza received him and, thereafter, introduced him to NRA commanders: Yoweri Museveni, Salim Saleh and Fred Rwigyema. After spending three days with NRA commanders, Kasirye went back to UFM camp.
Aware that Kasirye had agreed to serve as NRA’s ears and eyes within UFM, some UFM commanders plotted to murder him. However, Kayiira stopped them. Not long after, Obote’s forces attacked with precision all UFM camps.
Out of those assaults, they arrested top UFM commanders including Kodili, Adda and Bwami.
As a result, Kayiira fled from Nakasajja camp and hid in Muduuma, where he was picked by Emmanuel Kayiwa in a Land Rover, belonging to Uganda Commercial Bank.
On August 24, 1982, Kayiira boarded a boat at Ggaba landing site and fled to Kawangware, Kenya.
On the other hand, Kasirye and 638 UFM fighters moved to Busujju, in September 1982.
Later, Kasirye travelled to Kenya locating Kayiira. Aware that Kasirye had arrived in Nairobi, Kayiira instructed his associate, Sam Matte Mukasa (former headmaster of Makerere College School) not to let Kasirye know of his whereabouts. Eventually, Kayiira agreed to meet Kasirye.
Tough words were exchanged in that meeting as Kayiira kept asking Kasirye why he left Uganda without the consent of other UFM commanders. When Kasirye asked Kayiira about UFM’s next war plan, Kayiira refused to tell him. Instead, Kayiira ordered Kasirye to return to Uganda immediately.
NEW REBEL GROUP
By the time Kasirye returned to Uganda, in September 1983, UFM was no more. Most of its fighters likesuch as George Nkwanga and Stephen Ndugutse alias Kalisoliso had transited in a new rebel group, Federal Movement of Uganda (FEDEMU). Its political head was Lawrence Semakula.
On return, Kasirye also transited into FEDEMU and even headed its training wing, Haganah School of combat in Busujju.
One time, Kasirye commanded FEDEMU fighters and they attacked Obote’s soldiers and UPC youth wingers detach in Mityana. They captured five guns after killing three UPC youth wingers.
Whenever Obote’s fighters attacked FEDEMU positions, Kasirye preferred to hide alone. And in case a fighter insisted on following him into hiding, Kasirye would angrily shout at him: “Tonkubira kisinde. Ate nja kukutta. (Don’t make trails for me. I will kill you.”
As earlier noted, Kasirye was a listening post for NRA in UFM and FEDEMU. That is why when the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Rakai North, Luke Kazinja joined FEDEMU, Kasirye pleaded with him: “You are an educated man to join this group. Can I make arrangements so that you cross to NRA?” Kazinja declined.
NRA/UPDF TENURE
When Kayiira abandoned the war in 1982, he settled in the US.
Later in July 1985, when Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa took over power, he appointed Kayiira on the ruling council. On his way to Uganda, Kayiira had a crucial meeting in South Nairobi at the residence of Emmanuel Pinto. Thereafter, he returned to Uganda in a chartered plane belonging to Bell Air. He came along with Dan Ssozi, Katongole of Mawogola and Alex Bagenda, among others. Kayiira and his entourage were offered free accommodation in Hotel Diplomat by Bonny Katatumba.
Later, a section of FEDEMU led by Nkwanga and Kasirye joined Lutwa’s junta. Such a move benefited NRA since Kasirye would provide them with proceedings of Lutwa’s government negotiations with Nkwanga’s group.
That is why Kasirye was suspected and was later arrested by Lutwa’s forces. Eventually, he was released on the intervention of Maj. Fred Kiberu alias Mpiso. Following his release from Lubiri Barracks, Kasirye officially joined NRA in Lwengo, in August 1985.
Given his prowess in artillery, Kasirye worked with NRA’s 11th battalion commander, Chefe Ali and captured Nateete, Busega, Nakulabye, Wandegeya and Kololo Summit View. As a reward, Kasirye was appointed to lieutenant colonel, on February 6, 1988.
He shared the same rank with Dr. Kizza Besigye, Mugisha Muntu, Jim Muhwezi, Ivan Koreta, Sserwanga Lwanga, Chefe Ali, Andrew Lutaaya, Ahmed Kashilingi, Ronald Bata, Nasur Ezaruk, Peter Kerim, Samson Mande, Stephen Kashaka, Stanley Muhangi, Frank Guma, Julius Aine and Patrice Lumumba, among others.
On the other hand, Kayiira was appointed as the minister of energy in President Museveni’s first cabinet in 1986. At that time, Kayiira was doing import business with his associate, Muyanja Mbabali (now Bukoto South MP).
The returns from that business enabled Kayiira to purchase 200 acres of land in Mukono. He hoped to set up a modern farm, but he was unsuccessful.
On the other hand, Kasirye remained a serving officer in the army. Actually, in 1998, when Andrew Felix Kaweesi wanted to join the army, Kasirye advised him against it. Thus, Kaweesi opted to join the Police force.
In 2005, Kasirye applied for retirement and his wish was granted. He retired for only three months and, thereafter, applied to rejoin the army, after he received huge water and electricity bills. President Museveni reinstated him in the army, until his final retirement in 2018, at the rank of major general.
Muwonge C W Magembe RESEARCHER Send your comments on this story to Sunday@newvision.co.ug or contact writer on 0778326940