BY JOACKIM KULE
The Outgoing Local Council III Chairperson for Kitswamba Town Council in Kasese District has appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to recognize and reward families of the people who participated during the National Resistance Army (NRA) struggle.
Mr. John Monday Wakighoma in his congratulatory message to the newly sworn -in Uganda’s president says that he was wishing Museveni success, not only as loyal citizen but a child of Late Paul Owerangi who served with Museveni during the liberation struggle.
Wakighoma explains that his late father’s contributions to the NRA struggle were immense in providing shelter, clothing, food, recruitment and espionage services to the fighters while several of his sons fought against the rebels, with some making ultimate sacrifice.
According to him, Late Owerangi endured numerous arrests, beating and torture but remained focused until the NRA’s victory.
Wakighoma adds thatpeople including those who served in senior government positions like Gen. Geoffrey Muhesi, Maj. Topher Agaba, Chef Ali—now deceased— and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda sought refuge under his father’s roof yet there has never been a reward to the family.
Therefore, Wakighoma appeals to the NRM leadership to appreciate the contribution of his late father by rewarding the family in the most appropriate manner.
He also asserts that in the year 2023, he and other family members did meet the NRM Party Gen. Secretary, Richard Twodong, over the same matter who guided them to put their request in writing, and yet three years later, nothing has materialized to that effect.
Radio Messiah has seen a letter addressed to the NRM secretariat written by Retired Major Topher Agaba attesting that indeed Late Owerangi played a critical role in mobilizing essential items for the then rebel outfit.ENDS.