By Frank Kamuntu
The National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war fighter, Col Jack Mucunguzi has died-Swift Daily News has learnt.
This has been confirmed by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa who tweeted, “sad to learn of the death of Col Jack Mucunguzi, this morning, one of the original 27 NRA fighters.”
Tayebwa said he visited Col Mucunguzi in the hospital last Wednesday and he was in an upbeat mood.
“My condolences to Harriet and the children, H.E Kaguta Museveni, Carol and Douglas Rukaari and the greater UPDF family. We celebrate Afande’s enormous contribution to the struggle that liberated our country. Rest well Afande,” he said in a tweet.
Col Mucunguzi was among the last few survivors of the original 27 fighters who escorted President Museveni to start the 1980 armed rebellion.
Of the 27, only seven are still alive. These include; Gen. Yoweri Museveni, Brig. Julius Kihande, Brig. Fred Mwesigye, Brig. Andrew Lutaaya, Paul Kagame, Col. George Mwesigwa, and Col. Charles Tusiime Rutarago.
Profiles Of Surviving NRA Fighters
Paul Kagame
Kagame, a Tanzanian-trained spy, was a refugee in Uganda at the time he joined Museveni’s Front for National Salvation (FRONASA). His intelligence credentials got him a pass into the UNLA army at a time when they were excluding foreigners that had helped them oust Amin. However, as Museveni went to the Bush, Kagame was right there. He attended the meeting at Rukikaire’s home and was armed with a pistol when the rebels first attacked Kabamba—he and a few others raided the communication office according to Museveni.
His intelligence skills came in handy in the bush—sources say he gathered intelligence for Museveni and helped neutralise cliques that threatened the struggle. Kagame was central to Museveni’s project to find out who had stolen the RPG. Kagame also dealt with Mucunguzi to squeeze out of him information about the plot against Museveni. Out of the bush, Kagame still worked as an intelligence chief. He later left the country for studies and later led the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) that liberated Rwanda, which he, to date still serves as president.
Brig. Julius Kihandae
Kihandae has had a topsy turvy career in the army. He has faced treason charges before and served as military attache in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and DR Congo. He is said to be semi-retired.
Brig. Fred Mwesigye
Mwesigye is the former MP for Nyabushozi. For long he was managing director at the UPDF’s National Enterprises Corporation in Luweero. He is now into private business.
Brig. Andrew Lutaaya
Lutaaya is the one who drove the truck on which the soldiers who launched the first attack of the war including Tumwine, rode.
His first assignment which Tumwine and others. He is now a retired businessman and operates between Mubende and Kalangala.
Col. George Mwesigwa
Until recently Mwesigwa served as second division garrison commander in Mbarara before he went into semi-retirement. He is among the senior army officers lined up for retirement this year.
Col. Charles Tusiime Rutarago
Rutarago was until recently the Commander Royal Guards—a force that ensures security of all cultural institutions in the country. He is also due to retire this year.
