NRM BUSH WAR MEMORIES: Risking all to avenge a brother's death - Col. Ggwanga

After about three days they again arrested me in Katwe. It was Mpiso. This so-called Maj. Fred Mpiso who saved me from Lubiri Barracks. When they released me, I contacted Saleh and I left in late August 1985. I linked up with the Ikonderes in Mityana.

They took me down to Masaka and we started fighting coming towards Kampala. When I got there Museveni promoted me to senior officer. I went alone with my driver. About 300 people followed me.

I was one of the first people to enter this city. I was commanding these heavy guns –(artillery pieces) – with Rwamukaga and Mugarura. I took on Kololo [Summit View] – they, [government soldiers], had some big 120-mm mortars. They had Koreans operating those guns. I was supporting Chefe Ali, [commander of the 11th Battalion].

[But initially] we sneaked in. It was afternoon. We were in Kyengera drinking, playing about. And I said but these guys must have run away from [nearby Busega] roundabout. Others said no. I insisted. And we said why don’t we sneak there. Me, Kaka, Ikondere, Sabata – he died the next morning in Ndeeba. Kakaka. No response. Kakaka. Eh!

I said these guys are not here. I remembered the 1979 experience. How Amin’s soldiers were fleeing. When we reached the roundabout, we found TVs, radio cassettes. They [were indeed] gone. So we sneaked down to Nateete and people came out and we said, ‘Where are they?’ They said they ran that side.

We sent a message [to headquarters] that we were in Nateete. Where! We are in Nateete. Are you people crazy? We said there is nothing. Then Fred Mugisha came through Kabojja, then Afande Saleh came, Afande Kyaligonza. They said we are capturing the city; I said we are capturing the government. We saw the city falling. That’s the story for you.

In a thicket

When Kayira had run we went [about] blindly. Kids were saying, I know a forest in that area, I know a forest in another area [and instead] we would end up in a thicket.

[One time] I went out to recce. Reports had reached Mityana that we were in the area. So soldiers came very early in the morning. Soldiers were shooting in the forest. The boys started running. We let them.

That night we crossed a river called Kitenga in Busubizi area in Mityana – Kawezike forest. We were so tired we decided to pitch camp. I sent out an OP early in the morning to climb up a tree fearing the UNLA soldiers could surprise us because they knew the direction we took.

After 45 minutes he came back to say they are coming. By then we had about 11 guns. This was in September 1982. We laid an ambush on the mouth of the river where they were supposed to get out. I positioned my people and told them where to shoot.

Like you are checking from this end to the other. When I went back the second time, most of the people had run away from the ambush [operation].

I remained with Juma “Billy Bomber” and late Maj. Ssebagala. Three! Out of nine! I said if we go away from here we are all dead. Just rely on me.

So they [UNLA soldiers] came walking along a pole, and we crashed them. We collected about six guns and boots. I was frightened. The most exciting day. The toughest.

Quick Notes