Uganda mourns Internal Affairs minister
The late Gen Aronda Nyakairima
KAMPALA. By press time tributes continued to flow for Gen Aronda Nyakairima who served as army commander from 2003 to 2013. He was both Minister for Internal Affairs and an Army representative in Parliament.
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga in a statement said: “The country will be informed about burial arrangements.”
Outgoing US Ambassador to Uganda Scott DeLisi, in a statement, also expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
“Gen Aronda was one of the first senior leaders I met in Uganda more than three years ago. He cared deeply for his nation and its future…. Even when we had different perspectives, the friendship and values we shared allowed us to move forward constructively. He will be missed as a leader, and as a friend,” Mr DeLisi said.
Mr David Pulkol, the former director general of External Security Organisation, said: “I have known him as a very courageous and fearless officer. I worked with him during the Constituent Assembly when he had just been made the deputy to Fred Tolit at Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence. We worked more closely during Operation Iron Fist where I helped him in South Sudan. He was such a steadfast and organized officer and he improved the welfare of the army.”
Brig Kasirye Gwanga, senior presidential adviser on security in Buganda region, said: “It is extremely unfortunate! He was one of the most brilliant officers we have had. He, just like myself, had the privilege of studying at Fort Leavenworth. For us the old guard in the army, it is a big blow, he was always a shoulder for us.”
The Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Maj Gen Kahinda Otafiire, said: It is very unfortunate that Gen Aronda has passed on. It is a tragedy he died when we needed him most. He served the Movement and people of Uganda faithfully, tirelessly and with devotion. I wish him well wherever he is.”
Major (retired) Jessica Alupo, minister of Education said: “The news of the passing on of Gen Aronda broke my heart. His death is so big a blow that words cannot describe the agony those of us who had the golden opportunity of working with him and being mentored are going through. His contribution to Uganda and humanity at large will forever be saluted. May God rest his soul in peace.”
