Cecilia Ogwal addresses a rally at Coronation Park in Lira during one of the 2001 election campaigns for Lira Municipality MP seat. PHOTOS | FILE
The country has lost some people who have been influential and left a mark in their respective communities.
Some of these people included lawmakers, musicians, communications officers, among others.
Cecilia Ogwal
The year kicked off on a sad note following the demise of then Woman MP for Dokolo District Cecilia Atim Ogwal. She died on January 18 in India, a country in South Asia where she had gone to receive specialised medical care following a diagnosis of cancer arising from the pancreas.
She was 77 years old and had served as a legislator since 1996. Ogwal, who was also referred to as Miss Uganda following a 1969 win in the beauty pageant, was remembered for many things including her loud high-pitched voice, outspokenness, and thriving political career. These attributes later earned her the nickname, the iron-lady. Some Members of Parliament looked up to her as a mother figure and a uniting factor in the House, who always aimed at repairing sour working relationships among colleagues.
In his tribute, President Museveni eulogised Ogwal as a big defender of the country despite not being a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). She belonged to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. Ms Sarah Aguti of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) took over from Ogwal following a successful by-election in March 2024.
Ogwal had been a strong member of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and even served as the acting secretary general between 1985 and 1992, before joining FDC.
Joseph Tamale Mirundi.
The late Joseph Tamale Mirundi during a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre. Photo | File
The controversial political commentator and author died on August 13 at Kisubi Hospital, after succumbing to lung-related complications. The 60-year-old and was known for not mincing his words.
Among his final wishes was a directive to his family members to organise vigils at his respective homes, complete with music and alcohol, elements incorporated to celebrate his vibrant life. His specific wish of having him buried while standing was not, however, fulfilled, with a family representative insisting that they would not defy the Buganda tradition of horizontally laying down the bodies of deceased persons.
Raised from a humble background, Mirundi’s life turned around following his appointment as President Museveni’s press secretary in 2003. Before the State House stint, Mirundi worked as a journalist, a profession he ventured into after completing his degree in Mass Communication at Makerere University in the early nineties.
Sarah Mateke
Deceased Minister of state for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke. PHOTO/ COURTESY
On September 7, Sarah Mateke, 50, who was then serving as the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament and State minister for Defence, succumbed to a heart attack at Mengo Hospital, in Kampala, where she had been rushed to for treatment.
She was a member of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Before the March 2024 Cabinet reshuffle as the State minister for Defence, Mateke had previously served as the State minister for Youth and Children Affairs, a position she used for directing her interests towards championing the education of both boys and girls including getting them scholarships at Makerere’s Metropolitan Management Institute where she served as the chairperson of board of directors from 2014 until the time of her death.
Outside the political arena, she also ran a family business dealing in timber production and transportation. Several officials eulogised Mateke as a passionate human rights crusader. Independent candidate Grace Ngabirano Akifeza replaced Mateke in November .
Simon Peter Aleper
The former Member of Parliament for Moroto Municipality (2011 to 2016) was killed in an accident on Tirinyi Road, in eastern Uganda, on July 23. As a lawmaker, he promoted Karamoja’s development such as improving its roads and other crucial infrastructure.
During a special sitting at Parliament on July 25, MPs eulogised Aleper as a formidable politician who was a compassionate and strategic thinker, and loved his culture.
Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde
Deceased: Namirembe Diocese Bishop Emeritus Samuel Balagadde Ssekadde
The Namirembe Diocese Bishop Emeritus, serving from the years of 1994 to 2009, died of a heart attack on Thursday, October 14, at Kisubi Hospital in Wakiso District where he had been rushed for treatment after feeling unwell at his home, in Bugonga, Entebbe Municipality. He was 80 years old. Ssekadde, in respective eulogies, was hailed as a phenomenal teacher, compassionate, respectful and had incredible passion for the ministry. Some praised him for being an outspoken clergyman who was not shy of speaking from his heart, especially when it pertained to serious matters. Ssekadde is survived by his wife Allen Ssekadde and their biological and adopted children. They were an inspirational couple to other married people having celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2022. The remains of the clergyman were laid to rest at Namirembe Cathedral’s cemetery on October 17. The cemetery is the final resting ground for some of the clergy who previously served at Namirembe Diocese in different capacities.
Francis Onapito Ekomoloit
Deceased: Former Nile Breweries legal and corporate affairs director, Francis Onapito Ekomoloit. PHOTO/ COURTESY
Ona, as he was commonly called, was an influential figure in the media industry and the corporate world. He previously served in different sectors during his adulthood years including as a journalist at the Monitor newspaper [now called the Daily Monitor], a lecturer at Makerere University, Amuria Member of Parliament (1998 to 2001), a presidential press secretary at State House and board chairperson of Nile Breweries Limited (NBL), a position he was appointed to on June 1, 2023. Before his appointment as the board chairperson, Onapito had worked as NBL’s legal and corporate affairs director for 17 years.
He died on September 27 after succumbing to an aggressive type of cancer that attacked his lungs. He was 58 years old. Relatives and friends spoke profoundly about Ona’s humility and generosity. Also, despite working for a company that makes alcohol, many were impressed at his teetotaler lifestyle. He was buried on November 30 in Amuria District, in fulfilment of his wishes that he be laid to rest after 60 days. He is survived by a wife and three children.
Adam Mulwana
The musician and political activist was behind notable songs brewed during the 2010 and 2011 political campaigns for veteran Opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye. Among his notable hits was the catchy and famous tune, Toka kwa balabala, directed to Dr Besigye's political struggle. The song catapulted him into countrywide fame among Opposition supporters.
Mulwana, aged 36, died on February 13. A couple of months before his death, Mulwana had mentioned surviving a poisoning incident allegedly planned by a woman who pretended to be his fan. In his respective media narrations, Mulwana said he started developing liver problems, weeks after eating a pizza slice the woman offered him during a meeting at a restaurant.
Dr Besigye, who is currently battling charges related to security and being in an unlawful possession of firearms, at the time of Mulwana’s demise, hailed him as an intelligent man.
Humphrey Mayanja
The death of Humphrey, the elder brother of renowned musicians Joseph Mayanja (Jose Chameleon), Pius Mayanja (Pallaso) and Douglas Mayanja (Weasel Manizo), shocked the arts, creative and music industry. Humphrey, 49, succumbed to cancer on March 30 after suffering stomach complications. His death was another blow to the Mayanja family following the demise of their youngest brother Emmanuel Mayanja, alias AK-47, in 2015. He was 24-years-old.
John Birungi Babirukamu
The digital marketing genius succumbed to serious injuries sustained from an impact fall from Tagore Crescent apartment, in Kampala. He died on Friday, May 31, two months shy of his 40th birthday.
The suicidal death came as a surprise to relatives and colleagues as he was known as a vibrant man who always seemed to have things in control.
The incident sparked concerns about mental health crises among men and the silent battles they face.
Babirukamu had over 15 years of experience in communications and digital marketing at the time of his demise.
Rebecca Cheptegei
Deceased. Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei. PHOTO/FILE/HANDOUT
The world was grief-stricken after Ugandan marathoner Cheptegei succumbed to multiple organ failure after sustaining 80 per cent body burns following an altercation with ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach who drenched her with petrol before setting her ablaze.
The 33-year-old mother of two daughters, who lived and trained in the highlands of western Kenya, died on September 5, sparking condemnation from activists on violence directed towards excelling women. Marangach died on September 9 from burns sustained during the same attack.
Her father, Mr Joseph Cheptegei, said she was killed following a land dispute. Her body was later returned to Uganda from Kenya and laid to rest in Bukwo Sub- county. In remembrance, the Paris Mayor, Ms Anne Hidalgo, said the city would honour her memory by naming a sports venue after her.
