In the fourth part of our special report on ‘Who Fought’ during the five-year National Resistance Army Luwero war, SSEMUJJU IBRAHIM NGANDA looks at the role played by the 10 top guerilla commanders who dislodged the Tito Okello-led UNLA forces in January 1986. As the NRA planned a final assault on Kampala, 10 men were appointed to command the newly formed equal number of battalions.
They are; Matayo Kyaligonza, Pecos Kutesa, Chefe Ali (RIP), Steven Kashaka, and Peter Kerim. Others are Samson Mande, Julius Chihandae, Patrick Lumumba, Benon Tumukunde, and Ivan Koreta. Ahmed Kashilingi became one of them because by the time Kampala fell, he had taken command of the 5th battalion from Kashaka.
PECOS KUTESA
Currently a Brigadier, Kutesa was only recognized a bush-war hero on June 9, 2009 (23 years after he helped capture Kampala) but he was, without doubt, one of those who fought fearlessly. Colleagues describe him as one of those fighters who came to be known as Kalampenge (fearless). At the time NRA took over government, Kutesa was commanding the first battalion. His second in command was another Kalampenge, the late Fred Mugisha who died at the rank of Lt. Colonel.
Bush-war fighters say it was Kutesa’s battalion that fought a three-month protracted battle with UNLA for the control of Katonga Bridge on Kampala-Masaka highway.
It is the same battalion that captured the headquarters of the UNLA at Bulange, Mengo. At that time it was known as Republic House. Kutesa was heavily involved in other battles, including the attack on Masindi that shaped and energized the NRA war.
PATRICK LUMUMBA (RIP)
At the time of his death, Lumumba was a Colonel. During the final assault on Kampala, he commanded the 3rd battalion which raided Lubiri Barracks. Another Kalampenge, whose battalion fought alongside Pecos Kutesa’s 1st battalion, confronted the UNLA on Masaka Road all the way to Kampala. It is also Lumumba’s battalion that carried out the siege on Masaka Barracks, whose success was key to the ultimate victory.
STEVEN KASHAKA & AHMED KASHILINGI
Steven Kashaka, now brigadier, commanded the 5th battalion which was tasked to guard one side of Katonga while Kutesa protected the other. In fact, some NRA veterans say it is both Kutesa and Kashaka’s battalions that inflicted the final damage on the UNLA at Katonga.
Kashaka, some veterans say, fell sick while others accuse him of excitement when he went away and left the command to his deputy, Kashilingi. It is Kashilingi who eventually lead the 5th battalions when the march to Kampala began. In his book, Uganda’s Revolution 1979-1986 – How I Saw It, Pecos Kutesa reveals that Kashilingi, now a Colonel, is the one who commanded the 5th battalion when it eventually captured Entebbe Airport (See his detailed contribution)
MATAYO KYALIGONZA
Although given a hero’s medal just last week on June 9, Kyaligonza, who is now a brigadier, was one of the most ruthless NRA commanders, bush-war veterans say. Now Uganda’s Ambassador to Burundi, Kyaligonza was responsible for urban terrorism and together with Kashilingi, they raided Police posts in Mukono.
At the time NRA captured power; Kyaligonza was commander of the 7th battalion. His deputy was Stanley Muhangi, another Kalampenge. It is Kyaligonza who captured Makindye Barracks. The 7th brigade was initially responsible for ambushing UNLA soldiers as they moved between Kampala and Katonga. Eventually, Kyaligonza approached Kampala from Hoima Road.
JULIUS CHIHANDAE
He was the first fighter to be wounded when the NRA began its war with the attack on Kabamba Barracks in February 1981. At the fall of Kampala, he was the commander of the 9th battalion. Chihandae also commanded the operation that besieged Mbarara Barracks, one of the developments that broke UNLA’s fighting spirit.
On this and some other missions, he worked with the late Fred Rwigyema who was deputy army commander of NRA and overall military boss for the Western Axis which raided Mbarara.
Chihandae is now deployed at Uganda’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia. He was one time detained in Makindye Military Police Barracks and seriously tortured after his close friend, Col. Kashilingi, ran away to DR Congo.
On this and some other missions, he worked with the late Fred Rwigyema who was deputy army commander of NRA and overall military boss for the Western Axis which raided Mbarara.
Chihandae is now deployed at Uganda’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia. He was one time detained in Makindye Military Police Barracks and seriously tortured after his close friend, Col. Kashilingi, ran away to DR Congo.
CHEFE ALI
Chefe Ali commanded the 11th battalion which together with Chihandae’s 9th battalion laid siege on Mbarara Barracks. Chefe Ali approached Kampala from the Nakulabye side. He moved through Makerere, Kamwokya to capture Summit View where UNLA soldiers were firing their artillery against NRA positions.
The NRA, according to Pecos Kutesa’s book, were also shelling Summit View from Mutundwe hill. Chefe Ali died a few years ago at the rank of brigadier. Kasirye Gwanga, now a brigadier, was in charge of the NRA artillery on Mutundwe hill.
IVAN KORETA
The current Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (D/CDF), Koreta, now Lt. Gen., commanded the 13th battalion. He was deputised by James Sebaggala who is now a brigadier. This battalion operated mainly around Bombo Road and was supposed to stop UNLA soldiers retreating from Kampala from proceeding to northern Uganda, which it failed to do. But the battalion chased the retreating soldiers all the way to Arua.
SAMSON MANDE
Mande was one of the original 27 NRA fighters who were armed at the start of the war. He commanded the 15th battalion, a late creation. He was initially part of the Western Axis and is the one who raided Uganda Commercial Bank, Kabale branch from where the NRA soldiers looted a lot of cash. Mande, who now lives in exile in Sweden, is accused of plotting to overthrow the Government of President Museveni. He is now a Colonel.
He fled through Rwanda after he had been tortured while in Makindye Barracks on charges of embezzlement.
PETER KERIM
Now a brigadier and commander of Reserve Force in West Nile, Kerim commanded the newly created 19th battalion at take over. He had been Pecos Kuteesa’s deputy in the first battalion for most of the late 1983 and early 1984. Pecos Kuteesa describes him as a good fighter who was part of the successful force that overran Masindi Barracks, one of NRA’s major operations.
BENON TUMUKUNDE
He was commander of the 21 battalion. Tumukunde died at the rank of Lt. Col. He was the first NRA Commanding Officer of the Military Police.
Credit: www.observer.ug
