Death played a newsy role across the country in 2019 as it always has in the years gone past. We bring you a number of notable deaths that shook Uganda in 2019.
January
When Mama Police CP Kakooza died
The Director of the Uganda Police Band, CP Josephine Kakooza 64, died early this year at Namirembe Hospital.
Kakooza joined the force at the age of 16 and passed out on September 1, 1969, according to Police Spokesman Emilian Kayima.
Kakooza served at the lowest rank, Police Constable for 13 years. She was promoted to corporal in 1982, to sergeant in 1983 and to Assistant Inspector of Police in 1993.
3-year-old dies after taking alcohol
Police in Masindi district are held a father and her daughter over alleged child negligence that led to the death of three-year-old Sarah Atulinde after she consumed a lot of alcohol in Kyakaitera village, Bwijanga Sub County in Masindi district.
The suspects were arrested after a tip-off by area residents who discovered the death of Atulinda while the parents and siblings were in the garden.
The father allegedly left the girl asleep in the house where he had kept his liquor. It is alleged Atulinda, after waking up, drank the liquor to a state of unconsciousness.
Mr. Michael Onencan, the deceased’s relative, said they went to their garden and left the child at home but they later received information that the child had taken alcohol from the house.
14 dead, several injured in Pakwach road accident
At least fourteen people were confirmed dead and others critically injured in a car accident in Pakwach district.
The accident took place at Got Malara, two Kilometers from Panyimur Town, Pakwach district. 14 bodies, including 12 women were counted by eyewitnesses.
It was reported that the vehicle was carrying fish mongers mostly from Aliwara, the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo to Panyimur Market.
February
Four died and scores injured as Masindi bus overturned in February
Four people were confirmed dead on spot on February 3 after the bus they were travelling in overturned at Namayonjo, Nakasongola.
The Link bus registration number UBA 332B that was heading to Masindi from Kampala had a tyre burst swerving off the road and overturning several times with over 50 passengers on board.
Bishop Cyprian Bamwoze died in February
The retired Anglican Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt Rev Cyprian Bamwoze died early this year in February after a long battle with cancer.
Bishop Bamwoze breathed his last at the Mulago Cancer Institute.
Three missing children found dead
Three children, who went missing in separate incidents in Iganga and Nwoya districts, were in February found dead.
In Iganga district, Muwanguzi Kaswabuli, 4, and Steven Kusasira, 2, both sons of Robert Waiswa of Namusisi Village in Nabitende Sub-county, were reported missing two days before their bodies were discovered in a pond of sand.
In Nwoya, a three-year-old girl, who went missing from Langol Village in Alero Sub-county, Nwoya District, on February 15, was found dead three days later. Mr. Alfred Ocaji, the village chairperson, said the lifeless body of Mercy Adoch was discovered about a kilometer away from their home by children who had gone hunting. Mr. Ocaji said the child was killed in what is believed to have a case of a ritual sacrifice.
Health Ministry staff dies in road accident
Nantunzi Agnes, a data manager at Ministry of Health died in a road accident on February 28 after a vehicle she was travelling in had a head-on collision with that of Lira District Local Government.
Savana region police said Ms. Nantunzi was heading to Gulu in M/V UG 4590M belonging to the Ministry of Health headquarters in Kampala.
March
Fr. Gerald Mukwaya
Rev. Fr. Gerald Mukwaya died in Mulago Hospital on the morning of Saturday, March 1, 2019. Late Fr. Mukwaya was buried on Monday, March 4, in Bukalasa Masaka district where he served in various parishes.
Fr. Mukwaya was a renowned priest Masaka diocese following a number of Catholic songs including the famous Bebale Amansi and Mapeera, among others.
Student dies after being caned by teacher
A female teacher in Mbale District allegedly caned a student to death for refusing to do homework in March 2019.
Ms. Annet Namono a teacher at Nyondo Secondary school then is alleged to have given Denis Wadeba, a Senior Three student, five strokes after Wadeba had declined to submit homework.
The student then reportedly collapsed before he was rushed by fellow students and teachers to St. Theresa Nyondo Health Centre III where he breathed his last.
Ms. Namono allegedly took off to Kenya.
Rwanda shoots her citizen for crossing to Uganda
In the same month, Grief and sorrow engulfed the Ugandan side of the border at Kyanika in March 27 after a pregnant woman in her mid-30s collapsed and died trying to flee Rwanda Army who tried to stop her and others from crossing over to Uganda to look for food.
Kigezi Regional Police Spokesman Elly Maate told this Online Publication then that the deceased was in a group of other people who tried to use a porous border entry point (Panya route) to enter Uganda where they hoped to buy food but were chased by Rwandan Army who tried to stop them.
When she got exhausted, Mukarugwiza who was heavily pregnant collapsed when she had already crossed on the Uganda side of the border in Rukoro village, Nyakabingo parish in Chahi sub-county in Kisoro District where she died.
May 2019
University finalist dies after last exam
Catherine Ajambo a finalist at Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) then passed on Friday, May 10, hours after her last paper.
Ajambo was a student of Bachelor of Social Development and Counselling in her final year who passed on at around 9pm from her home.
The University leadership in a statement said she had just finished her final exam on 9th May 2019 only to die later at 9:00 pm.
She was buried in Rukungiri district on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at 2:00pm.
Minister Kibuule heartbroken after his toddler twins drown in the swimming pool
State Minister for Water and Environment Ronald Kubuule is heartbroken after his twins were found unresponsive in the deep end of a swimming pool, on Monday, May 13.
The twins — who were just few months away from turning three years — drowned in the deep end of a swimming pool at his home in Mukono.
The two-year-old twins identified as Roman Kato and Raiding Wasswa reportedly drowned after escaping the attention of their minders. The twins’ mother Fortunate and the minister could not control their tears as hundreds of mourners, including Vice President Edward Ssekandi, flocked the home to console them.
PM Apolo Nsibambi dies
Uganda’s Ex-Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi on May 28 died of cancer at age of 78 from his home in Bulange, Mengo in Kampala.
Mr. Nsibambi, till his death remained Uganda’s longest-serving prime minister (1999-2011), left behind a widow, Ester Nsibambi and five children.
Mr. Nsibambi, an academic and politician, was prime minister from April 1999 to May 2011 when Mr Patrick Amama Mbabazi succeeded him. He retired from politics in 2011.
Museveni said he first met Nsibambi while still in the bush and he (Nsibambi) was introduced as a great monarchist.
His remains were laid to rest at Buloba.
Lake Albert tragic accident
The Joint Police and UPDF Marine Units on Lake Albert embarked on further search efforts for bodies to the victims who perished in a boat which capsized May 19 due to strong winds.
The boat that was transporting a local football team and fans, from Foso Landing Site to Runga Landing Site, in Kigorobya, Hoima district, capsized a few minutes after it had taken off. A total of 32 occupants managed to survive after they were rescued, while others swam to the shores.
The Marine Response Teams from the Police and UPDF, with members of the community, retrieved the capsized boat and recovered two bodies that were trapped underneath. An additional 7 dead bodies were recovered days later bringing the total number of the dead to 9. These were identified by authorities as Nyayenga Sande female adult of 22 years, Sisto Olarworth 20yrs, Kotu Jareth 19yrs, Anita Janet 18yrs, Ayera Biwaga 18yrs, Majid, Oyeny Dollar Winnie, Omirambe Jackisa 23yrs and, Pasco 18yrs.
June
Rwenzururu queen mother dies at 85
The Rwenzururu Queen Mother (Nyamukama) Her Royal Highness, Christine Biira Mukirania, mother to Bakonzo cultural King Charles Wesley Mumbere and State Minister veteran affairs, Mr. Christopher Kibanzanga died at 85.
The late (queen mother) died Tuesday 11 morning at Kilembe Mines Hospital in Kasese District where she had been admitted for a few weeks.
Father to Buhweju MP and FDC stalwart Mwijukye dies
Buhweju County Member of Parliament (MP) Francis Mwijukye’s father Mzee Zonobio Tibeingana passed on in June at Mulago Hospital after a prolonged illness.
Hon. Mwijukye, one of his sons, said his father succumbed to the cancer of the esophagus.
His remains were laid to rest on Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Bwoga, Buhweju.
Andrew Mwenda’s mother dies
Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda, Burahya County MP Margaret Muhanga, and senior UPDF officer Maj Gen Kayanja Muhanga’s mother Constance Muhanganzima also died in June 2019.
Late Muhanganzima passed on at Nakasero Hospital after a prolonged illness.
Several Ugandans including high profile Ugandans condoled with the family, posting their messages on social media.
July
Mukwano group owner Amirali Karmali died in July
Ugandan businessman Amirali Karmali, commonly known as, Mukwano, the proprietor of Mukwano Enterprises Ltd, died in July 2019 leaving behind a business Empire that spans real estate, banking, transport, and manufacturing.
The entrepreneur who died quietly in Fort Portal was laid to rest in Kololo, Kampala.
Hickory bar owner, Ainebyona shot dead
A security guard attached to Quality Supermarket in Namugongo in July 2019 shot dead a one Arnold Ainebyona Mugisha, who owned Hickory bar and restaurant in Kololo.
The shooting occurred at around 10: 30 am when Mr Ainebyona came with his two friends at the supermarket to shop, after which, he reversed the car and accidentally drove on the foot of another security guard who was identified as Mr. Amwaze Babu.
This led to an exchange of words between the two guards and the three customers in the parking lot which prompted another security guard to shoot at the deceased.
The culprit was identified as Moses Angoria. Onlookers said the culprit hurriedly rushed to the century box during the verbal exchange, picked his SAR gun and shot Ainebyona through the mouth.
Owner of Arua hotel raided over Bobi Wine dies
Late Luigi Candia, who owned of Pacific Hotel, which the army raided on the last day of the Arua Municipality parliamentary by-election campaign last August, died in July 2019.
He passed on at Mulago National Referral Hospital at the age of 69.
Source then said Candia suffered a stroke in Arua before he was transferred first to St Francis Hospital Nsambya in Kampala, and Mulago later.
The actual cause of death was not revealed to the public source close the family said Candia had suffered brain damage as a result of the stroke, rendering him unable to speak in his last days.
Lawyer Sendegeya shot dead in Kisoro
Unidentified assailants on July 21 shot and killed Counsel Isaac Sendegeya, a partner from Sendegeya and Company Advocates in Kisoro district.
Sendegeya 40, was killed at the door of his house in Nturo village Chihe parish Nyakinama Sub-county, after returning home from Kisoro town.
The Kigezi Region Police Spokesperson Elly Maate said that the deceased was shot from the back and died instantly.
Rukungiri ex-chairman dies
Former Rukungiri District LC5 chairperson Charles Kwebangira Byabakama died at Mulago Hospital, Kampala on July 25, upon arrival.
The body of the fallen Rukungiri politician was buried in his home district.
Former CBS MD Kaaya Kavuma dies the same month
Former Buganda Kingdom’s first Deputy Katikkiro Godfrey Kaaya Kavuma also died in July 2019 at International Hospital Kampala (IHK).
Kaaya Kavuma served as Deputy Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom under ex-Katikkiro Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere.
Until his death, he was the chairman of CBS Radio Board of Directors.
August
Ziggy Wine dies
Musician Allinda Michael, better known as Ziggy Wine—a close affiliate of opposition leader and musician Bobi Wine—died after he was allegedly abducted and tortured.
The artist, who was signed to Bobi Wine’s Firebase Crew music label and was a firm supporter of the People Power movement, allegedly disappeared on July 21 while he was on his way to a recording session in Kampala.
He was found a week later with several injuries, including a missing eye and two fingers. He died at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.
Police launched an investigation into his death and dismissed torture claims. Given his association with People Power, both Bobi Wine and the late artist’s family alleged that the abduction may have been politically motivated.
Acholi’s oldest clan chief dies at 107
Mzee Akera Anania Kerwegi the Bobi clan prince of Bobi Paidwe Puranga chiefdom breathed his last from Gulu Regional Referral hospital at the age of 107 years.
He died on August 16, 2019, at around 3:00 pm after a long illness from diabetes and high blood pressure.
Several died as fire guts trading centre in Western Uganda
On August 18, several people died after a fuel tank burst into flames in Kyambura Trading Centre, Rubirizi District, in western Uganda.
According to witness accounts, the accident occurred after the fuel tanker knocked a bus before losing control and ramming into other stationary vehicles in the trading centres, sparking off the fire. The fire then spread to several shops and houses in the area that is adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth National Park.
10 perish in a deadly accident in Mbale
On the same Sunday, August 18, ten people were dead in a road accident that involved a commuter taxi and a bus at Busembatia on Tirinyi-Mbale Road.
The accident occurred after the bus belonging to YY Coaches LTD, which was heading to Mbale had a head-on collision with a commuter taxi.
All the 10 passengers in the taxi died on spot.
Retired Supreme Court Judge Karokora, his son buried in the same week
Retired Supreme Court judge Alfred Karokora is dead. Justice Karokora, who had retired to his country home in Isingiro district, died after a short illness.
Mr. Solomon Muyita the senior communications officer at the Judiciary said Justice Karokora died at his home in Mbarara on Friday, August 30 evening from complications related to hypertension.
Moments after Karokora was laid to rest at Ruharo, Mbarara Municipality, the family received news of the death of his Son, Albert Mwine Karokora.
Albert, who passed away at Mbarara hospital, was said to have succumbed to severe head injuries that he sustained from a motor accident in Mbarara in the same week.
When missing Nagirinya and driver were found dead
The police on August 30 recovered two bodies in Nakitutulu in Nama Sub-county, on the Mukono-Kayunga road.
The bodies were identified as that of Maria Nagirinya and Ronald Kitayimbwa who went missing on Wednesday 28.
Nagirinya was kidnapped from the gate to her home in Lungujja-Busega, killed, and her body dumped in Mukono district. A gang behind the kidnap and murder of the duo was later smashed by security forces
September
Man collapses, dies in court
Business at the Makindye Chief magistrate’s court on September 9, came to a standstill a litigant’s husband collapsed and died in the courtroom during the session.
A 60-year-old man only identified as Fragilo Kizito a resident of Kabalagala; a Kampala Suburb collapsed and subsequently died inside the court.
The late Kizito, had accompanied his wife Rosemary Kizito to court where she was battling charges of assaulting a one William Geza.
PML Daily court reporter Racheal Agaba reported that Kizito collapsed inside the courtroom when his wife was called to the dock and a prosecution witness took to the stand to pin her.
Two shot dead in a car at Nambigirwa Bridge on Entebbe Expressway
Two people were in September shot dead along the Kampala-Entebbe Express highway.
Police had initially indicated that killed woman was Florence Maya Kamikazi, a Rwandan national but it revised the name and nationality to Merina Tumukunde, a Ugandan married to Mark Rugyenza.
Tumukunde was found in a sitting position in her car with a single bullet wound on her head.
She was shot dead alongside her friend Joshua Nteyireho Ruhegyera near Nambigirwa Bridge, towards Mpala, Katabi Town Council. According to an eyewitness in Mpala Isma Kimera, the deceased was waylaid by two unidentified men.
Senior police officer found dead in Somalia
A Ugandan senior police officer attached to African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was found dead under mysterious circumstances, officials said on Saturday on September 7.
Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Edward Bagonza was found dead at his residence in Mogadishu on Saturday, September 7, according to Police Director Peace Support Operations AIGP Grace Turyagumanawe. His body was repatriated and laid to rest in western Uganda.
Lightning strikes 4 dead, injures 2 in Kanungu
Four people died instantly and two got injured after a lightning bolt struck them during a heavy downpour in Kanungu district.
The incident happened on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at around 16:00 hours at Nyakarambi cell in Rutenga parish in Kanungu district.
The deceased were identified as Herbert Kanyonyi 38, a resident of Nyamugari cell, Avidence Nuwamanya, 38, Fred Akandwanaho, 13, a pupil at Kyashamiro primary school, all residents of Kyashaniro cell Mafuga parish Rutenga Sub County in Kanungu district.
Two bodies of export workers are returned to Uganda
There was loud wailing at Entebbe Airport on Thursday, September as family and friends received two bodies of their relatives who died in Kuwait, having gone there to work in May 2019.
The bodies of Mujjuzi John Torres and Bekalaze Charles, whose cause of death remained a mystery, were then taken to Mulago Hospital for a postmortem. The third body of Moses Kiwanuka was received a day after.
Addressing journalists at the airport, the deceased’s families said Spotlight Recruitment International, the company which had taken them to Kuwait, did not help them until they sought help from the State House Anti-Corruption Unit last week.
The directors of Spotlight Recruitment International have since been arrested by Police and interrogations into human trafficking of persons are ongoing.
Kampala Deputy RCC is dead
Kawempe Deputy Resident City Commissioner Deborah Nabukenya also died this year.
Nabukenya, who was only appointed to the position in June 2017, passed on at Mengo Hospital on Thursday, November 25 after a short illness.
October
Former UPC vice president Joseph Bbosa dies
Former Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Party Vice President Joseph Bbosa died this year on October 1.
Mr. Solomon Muyita, the Judiciary Spokesperson, in a statement said Bbosa, who was also the husband to the International Criminal Court-ICC Judge, Salome Balungi Bbosa breathed his last in The Hague, Netherlands.
He said Bbosa died at a hospital in the Netherlands where he’d been receiving treatment. His body was repatriated home and laid to rest a week later.
Popular radio host John Ssentongo died the same month
John Ssentongo a popular and top-rated host of ‘Mukikadde’ at Radio Sapientia for nearly a decade died on October 1.
Ssentongo who was one of the pioneer staff of the Radio Sapientia since 2001, hosting “Memories and More” Show that plays old songs (Mukikadde) every Sunday.
There, and at his other radio jobs across the country, he was known for his smooth on-air style and positive personality.
Climate Change Commissioner Chebet Maikut dies
The Commissioner at the Climate Change Department in the Ministry of Water and Environment, Chebet Maikut died on October 2.
Maikut was reported to have died on his way to Hospital in Kapchorwa District.
Mr. Alfred Okot Okidi, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the cause of the death was unclear.
Former Makerere Vice-Chancellor Wandira dies
The former Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, Professor Asavia Wandira died, leaving the University community ‘shocked and saddened.’
Prof Wandira passed on October 3 at Nakasero Hospital where he was receiving treatment for a few weeks.
The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Barnabas Nawangwe, described Prof Wandira as “a person of high integrity who kept the university intact in the most difficult period of its history and said his death was a “huge loss”.
First Bishop of Lango Melchizedek dies
The Rt. Rev. Melchizedek Otim, the first Bishop Lango Diocese died on October 9 at the age of 85.
Bishop Emeritus Otim passed on around 3am from the Uganda Heart Institute.
Born in 1934, Rt. Rev. Otim was appointed the pioneer Bishop of Lango Diocese in 1976 by the late Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Janan Luwum.
Makerere student dies in swimming pool
On October 14, a student at Makerere University drowned on the university’s swimming pool.
James Uwmpuhwe, a Rwandan national died late-evening at the University Swimming Pool near Guild Canteen when he got into difficulties.
Makerere University Vice Chancellor Barnabas Nawangwe confirmed Uwimpuhwe’s death, describing the incident as shocking news.
Retired Supreme Court judge Tsekooko dies the same day with Uwmpuhwe
Retired Supreme Court Judgez Justice George Wilson Nattubu Tsekooko also died on October 14 at Norvik Hospital in Kampala, where he was admitted for several weeks before breathing his last.
UPDF Colonel knocked dead by hit and run car
On October 21, Police said they were investigating circumstances under which Abdul Kawawa, a UPDF Lieutenant Colonel, was knocked dead
According to police, he was knocked dead by a speeding vehicle while taking a stroll in Namugoona, Rubaga Division in Kampala.
Simba Telecom employee found dead
Ambrose Asiimwe, 27, an employee of Simba Telecom, who was reported missing in Kabale District on Tuesday, was found dead on October 23.
Asiimwe who was a Sales Manager of Simba Telecom in Kabale, was reported missing on Tuesday while going to distribute over UGX. 20 million to Mobile Money agents. His numbers are said to have gone off suddenly.
Asiimwe’s body was later found by the roadside in Kayanja Cell, Nyakishenyi Sub County in the neighbouring Rukungiri District.
November
P.7 candidate dies in the examination room
A Primary Seven Pupil of Bukari Primary School in Bukibokolo Sub County in Bududa district on Monday, November 4 collapsed and died in an examination room as pupils started their Primary Leaving Examinations.
The pupil identified as Winnie Kakayi, 14, was among the 21 pupils registered to sit primary leaving examination in the school.
The incident caused tension, with many candidates unsettled. Mr. David Kitutu, the school headteacher, said the deceased’s parents had informed him earlier that the child was suffering from malaria but was not treated as parents sought divine intervention for her recovery. Kitutu said that Kakayi collapsed as soon as she started the mathematics paper.
Scores died after truck wrought through Ntinda-Kiwatule road traffic
A 10 tire trailer has rammed into over nine cars and two motorcycles along the Naalya Kiwatule road.
The traffic police officer at the scene said the truck which was carrying aggregate material was in a dangerous mechanical condition, a reason it could have lost control.
Five bodies retrieved after boat accident in western Uganda
Five bodies were in November retrieved from Lake Albert shared by Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) a day after a boat capsized.
Romeo Ojara, District Police Commander for Kagadi in western Uganda said seven people, were feared dead after the boat they were travelling in capsized on Lake Albert.
Lillian Ruteraho, the Kagadi Resident District Commissioner told reporters that the boat which carried a total of 18 passengers was flagged off Kitebere Landing Site at 11 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) on Sunday. The boat was heading to the DRC side.
She said 11 people were rescued by local fishermen and police officers.
Two feared dead as landslides sweep Kisoro, Bundibugyo
On November 13, two women died after they were swept away by a landslide that hit Kisoro District.
Oliver Nyiramutuzo, 28, and Flora Nyamishana, 36, were weeding in a millet garden around 2 pm when a mudslide occurred in Bikokora village, Nteko parish, Nyabwishenya sub-county, sweeping them away into River Rwafi that moves to the neighbouring DR Congo.
Police shoot LC1 leader in Mutundwe
On November 26, one person was shot dead on as police confronted residents who were demonstrating at an Indian company in Ssembule A Zone, Kabowa in Kampala.
David Kibuuka, the area information secretary, was killed when the Police shot at the protestors who attempted to force their way onto the premises of Shreeji Stationers 2009 whose owners they blamed for blocking roads and drainage systems which leads to flooding.
December
More than 30 people were reportedly feared dead in the latest mudslides that hit Bududa district in Eastern Uganda.
The mudslides affected the two villages of Namasa and Naposhi all in Bushika Sub-county, Bududa district.
Retired Moroto Catholic Bishop Ssentongo dies
The Catholic Church mourned after the passing of emeritus of Moroto Diocese, Henry Apaloryamam Ssentogo.
Bishop Ssentongo, 83, who hailed from Masaka Diocese, died following a long illness.
In his retirement, he was living at Bikira Catholic Parish, Masaka Diocese about three years ago, he told PML Daily in an interview about his illness.
