NRM BUSH WAR MEMORIES: I was declared dead on radio, says Col. Kuteesa

When Milton Obote was overthrown on July 27, 1985, the Nairobi peace talks, which we called ‘pistol talks’ resumed. They probably had a chance to succeed if it were not for the uncalled for move by the Okello Lutwa regime to bring former elements of Idi Amin from West Nile to reinforce the UNLA ranks.

On August 24, 1985, the Nairobi peace talks failed officially upon the realization that these fellows were buying time. Incidentally, during that time, we received a sizeable amount of weapons from Libya.

When the peace talks failed, we launched a major offensive on all UNLA positions asking to surrender. The memorable surrender to me was on August 24, 1985 by Lt. Okello Okecha (RIP) who crossed from the UNLA with more than 200 of his soldiers.

Last offensive

On September 12, 1985, commander Museveni gave an order to all NRA officers to advance on all UNLA positions. We therefore advanced to Fort Portal, Hoima, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka and Mbarara. At this moment, we were controlling eight of the 18 million of Uganda’s population.

Apart from Masaka and Mbarara, the other towns were overrun without much effort. For the case of Masaka Mechanized Regiment, it took three months of siege before it fell.

Mbarara’s story was quite tragic but you will read the details in my book. Suffice it to say that Mbarara was one of the last barracks to fall in January 1986 when we were actually approaching Kampala. At the time, I was commanding the forces guarding Katonga bridge.

Kampala falls

On January 15, 1986, commander Museveni chaired a meeting of all combat operations and ordered the final assault on Kampala. I was the commander of the first battalion that advanced through the city on Jinja road. I went through the city headed for Luzira prison to rescue our comrades, prominently Napoleon Lutambika and several others. I knew Napoleon during training in Tanzania.

The biggest joke during the take-over of Kampala was the three rules to civilians coined by one of our comrades. He was more interested in rule three which stated: “No girl or young woman should keep knickers on!!”

The final feeling

I met two journalists, Tim Cooper and Ali Alizon at the Imperial Hotel and they asked me how I felt. I responded: “Nothing succeeds like success. I feel on top of the world.” By January 26, 1986, the battle for Kampala had ended.
(Series continues on Thursday)

Quick Notes

Date of Birth: August 24, 1956
Place of Birth: Lyakajula, Kabula-Lyantonde, Rakai District
Father’s Name: Paul Rwitarutyo
Mother’s Name: Casarina Rwitarutyo
Wife’s Name: Dora Nunguri Kuteesa.
Family Position: First born of two. Schools Attended: Kijabwemi Primary School, Kitovu Secondary School, Kako Secondary school, Masaka Secondary School, Makerere University, Several Army Academies in Jinja-Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Egypt,
Pastime: Golf and an “omnivorous” reader who reads anything in ink.