A section of senior leaders have expressed condolences to mourn the death of Ernest Kakwano, a legendary trained accountant and an accomplished businessman whose contributions before, during, and after the five-year liberation war will forever remain strongly written in Uganda’s political journey.

Prominently referred to by his peers as a ‘smooth operator,’ Kakwano, born on September 10, 1944, died on Sunday, March 31, 2024, and will be laid to rest on Friday, April 5, 2024, at his ancestral home in Muko-Rukozi, Kashari county in Mbarara district.

Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the former Prime Minister of Uganda, who worked closely with the late Kakwano in the external wing of the NRA fighters in the early 1980s, described the deceased and his wife Alice as outstanding patriots who strongly supported and worked for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

“My family and I have, with deep sorrow, received the sad news of the passing of our comrade Ernest Kakwano. Ernest Kakwano and his wife Alice are outstanding patriots who strongly supported and worked for the NRM and the Army both during and after liberation struggles,” Dr. Rugunda shared on his official X-platform.

He noted that the late Kakwano widely assisted a number of state enterprises to stand on their own and become commercially viable under challenging circumstances.

“Comrade Kakwano leaves a legacy of love and sacrifice for his country, hard work, and dependability. We convey our sympathies and condolences to Alice, the children, and the country. May Ernest Kakwano’s soul rest in eternal peace,” Dr. Rugunda added.

The late Kakwano, who served in Amin’s regime, is also remembered for successfully sneaking the current CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and his siblings out of the country through the Busia-Malaba border into Kenya at a time when the then regime wanted them dead.

General Henry Tumukunde, a retired UPDF officer and a member of the NRA group, mourned the late Kakwano as one of the most critical and committed members of the NRA/M External Wing.

“I received a call informing me of the passing of a dear friend, hero, and committed member of the NRA/M External Wing, Comrade Ernest Kakwano. Ernest and his wife Alice were part of the support system that sustained the struggle both in Uganda and in exile. Kakwano, along with several other NRA External Wing members, provided unwavering support to many injured NRA combatants turned refugees, including himself and others, in every possible manner, often in very difficult and risky circumstances,” Gen Tumukunde said.

AIGP (Rtd) Asan Kasingye, former Chief Political Commissar of Uganda Police, described the deceased as a patriotic, helpful, and thoughtful senior citizen who served his country successfully.

“Sad news, Gen. He welcomed me to Entebbe, my first duty station in 1990, gave me the incite of the area, and gave me a weekly crime prevention strip in the ‘Market Place’ his newspaper. May His soul rest in eternal peace,” Kasingye stated.

The Presidential Advisor on Export and Industrial Development, Odrek Rwabwogo, said that Kakwano was a gentle, gracious man and friend to many young people.

“He was a committed entrepreneur, starting in 1975 with his own car dealership and ending up with a printing house in Entebbe when he left the Coffee Marketing Board. We gave him a mentorship award in 2023, Rwabwogo said.

“No single combatant in the NRA did not benefit from his magnanimity. We were both members of the external committee, but he went beyond the duties of the external committee! Accommodated and fed the wounded combatants, paid their bills, and provided them transport back into Uganda,” another retired NRA bush war hero said.

Fallen Kakwano’s Brief Landmark

Kakwano, 80, was one of the biggest confidants of President Yoweri Museveni from 1981 to the end of the Bush War. From 1971 to 1973, he served as the General Manager of DT Dobie Uganda Mercedes Agency and then GM Uganda Motors Ltd. from 1973 to 1980.

Kakwano later joined the NRA’s external wing in Nairobi, led by Yusuf Lule, following the launch of the Liberation Army.

The main pillars, including Joseph Katende, Amama Mbabazi, Ruhakana Rugunda, Matthew Rukikaire, and Shem Bageine, were charged with fundraising for fighters in the bush and looking after their families in Nairobi, and Kakwano, as a historical and active rebel member, was the treasurer.

The committee chaired by Matthew Rukikaire, with Sam Njuba as secretary, included Zak Kaheru, Dr. Samson Kisekka, Besweri Mulondo, Ernest Kakwano, Dr. Jack Luyombya, and Crispus Kiyonga.

Kakwano studied economics at the then-University College in Nairobi and began his career with finance posts in the mining and car export industries. He started his career as an assistant accountant in 1966–1969 at Kilembe Copper Mines in Kasese.

In 1986, Kakwano and his family returned home, where he and his wife Alice were named war heroes. The NRA government later contracted him to work alongside other economists at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to study and advise the government on ways to revive the economy.

In 1991, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) was founded following the passing of the UCDA Bill by the National Resistance Council and the presidential assent to the UCDA Statute of July 12, 1991 (amended in 1994). Kakwano became the founding managing director of UCDA and supervisor of the liberalization of the coffee trade in Uganda.