NRM BUSH WAR MEMORIES: Lt. Col. Mwesigye was a rebel twice over

Eventually, the force that was in Fort Portal surrendered. This was organised by Bishop Magambo of Fort Portal and other senior citizens in Fort Portal. When that force joined us, then our next target was Masaka. We attacked Bundibugyo and captured weapons, we attacked Rubona and captured weapons and eliminated the enemy from there.

We then moved to Mbarara, Masaka and Kabale. We now formed battalions. I was put under Chihandae as 2IC. We headed the 7th Battalion. After clearing Kasese we went to Kabale. Other forces went to Masaka. Others surrounded Mbarara. Our force was in Kabale because at that time there was a threat – [Rwandan President Juvenal] Habyarimana had agreed with Lutwa to give him space to attack us from the rear. We were supposed to guard that area.

I think that was the period when we got some weapons from Tanzania. We started mobilising now to assault Masaka. Masaka was a bit difficult, so we decided to use encirclement for about three months without attacking until they gave up. They joined us. That’s when I met a friend of mine – Brig. Julius Oketta now. We had trained together in Cuba.

When Kampala was falling I was in Mpigi. I was receiving surrendering forces because they were too many. I politicised them.

Memorable incidents

The first thing I’ll never forget was the first attack of Kabamba. Here we were very few people, dispersing [more than 1,500]. The second was when Rubereza Rukuranga came and took over the command of Nkrumah when I was moving to Mondlane. We had captured some weapons including anti-tanks from the enemy in Lwamata. When Rubereza was inspecting it, it was hissing. You know, to fire an anti-tank you remove a safety pin. Little did we know that the safety pin was not in.

So as we were inspecting it, this tank blasted Rubereza. I was seated next to him, on his left hand. It killed him. It killed about four other people. I survived. I would have died in that incident. Other people were injured. I was injured on the leg and the arm. I went to Mondlane as a casualty. This was in 1982. I was treated for about a month or two. Tadeo Kanyankole then took over [Nkrumah].

The Rubona battle was a tough battle. I remember very well. We assaulted an encamped enemy. It wasn’t easy. The battle took almost half of the morning but we defeated them. I am very proud of my army number, RO 027. I had one of the 27 guns.

Quick Notes

Date of Birth: September 9, 1950
Place of Birth: Kashaari
Father’s Name: Erinesti Katatondwa
Mother’s Name: Frida Kyacwiteme
Family Position: First born. Has 2 sisters
Schools Attended: Kigezi High School (1967-
71. Expelled together with Jim Muhwezi after
leading a strike); Makobore High School;
Graduated from Makerere Business School
in 2003 with BBA; Now pursuing a computer
course at Makerere University
Wife’s Name: Enid Mwesigye
Children: 6 daughters, 1 son
Favourite Dish: Kalo and eshabwe
Pastime: Exercising, reading