Maj John Kazoora eulogised for integrity, patriotism

Several mourners have eulogised the late Major (Rtd) John Kazoora as a person who lived by values of integrity, truthfulness and accountability.  

Kazoora, a veteran politician and retired military officer who passed away on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, due to heart complications, was buried on Thursday at his ancestral home in Rutooma, Kashari, Mbarara District.

The burial ceremony was attended by prominent politicians, military officials, and members of the community.

Former Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Ms Miria Matembe, described the late Kazoora as a man of integrity, intelligence, and honesty who loved his country.

"Kazoora joined the bush war to liberate his country and served as a legislator not for himself but for the sake of Uganda and its people," she said. "At times, his honesty landed him into problems, like when he was arrested in the 1990s."

Maj Gen (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu eulogised the deceased as a responsible man who championed accountability and was not greedy.

"John, thank you for the moral values you stood for, you did not use the privilege you had to loot from the poor and the country," he said. "The Late Kazoora never deviated from the intentions of why we went to the bush. He was a leader who served his country with truth."

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, who was the chief mourner, hailed the deceased for his contribution towards the liberation of Uganda.

"The late John Kazoora's decision to join the NRA bush war after writing his final University exams in 1982 is proof of heroism and patriotism," he said. "After the NRA victory in 1986, he served in a number of positions, including being a Member of Parliament for Kashari County, therefore, I salute him for all the sacrifices to usher in freedom and social and economic development in Uganda."

The deceased's wife, Noame Kabasharira, who is also the Rushenyi County Member of Parliament, described her husband as someone who loved everyone despite social differences. "He was a man with social capital from different political parties," she said, adding that he had forgiven all those who had wronged him before he died. "He had wanted some people not to speak at his funeral, however he reformed and forgave them because he had wanted to rest peacefully," she told mourners.

The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, Rt Rev Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa, preached about living impactful lives, saying, "The number of people that have attended Kazoora's burial is a testimony that he lived an impactful life in society and the whole country. Let us make positive contributions as we live and love each other and be Godly."

Major (Rtd) John Kazoora was born on August 4, 1958, to the Late Enock Kazoora and Mangeri Kazoora in Rutooma, Kashari, Mbarara district. He joined the NRM struggle in 1981 and played a significant role in the liberation war that brought the NRM into power in 1986. He served as a Member of Parliament for Kashari County from 1996 to 2006 and later joined the opposition, serving as director of operations in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He is survived by a widow and four children.