President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has confirmed the death of Col. Jack Mucunguzi, one of the original 27 fighters who attacked Kabamba to start the 1980–1986 guerilla war. Mucunguzi passed away on Sunday evening at Nakasero Hospital after losing battle to Liver cancer.
Kaguta Museveni,Capt. Fred Rubereza , Col Jack Mucunguzi (squatting) & Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi
Through his official Twitter account, President Museveni said that he was saddened to hear that Jack Mucunguzi, revealing that he was one of the 27 National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters who attacked Kabamba Military Barracks.
“He was one of the 27 who attacked Kabamba with me, and he was the commander of Section 4 of the nucleus of the NRA,” Museveni confirmed in a tweet on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
According to President Museveni’s book, Sowing the Mustard Seed, the attack at Kabamba was to enable the rebels to get more guns. Although the rebels were 41, they only had 27 guns and a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, was the first to announce Col. Jack’s death through his social media handles on Sunday, June 18, 2023.
“Sad to learn of the death of Col. Jack Mucunguzi this morning, one of the original 27 NRA fighters,” Tayebwa announced via his Twitter account.
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 added.
Col. Mucunguzi worked for the defunct Coffee Marketing Board and later as a security officer at the Uganda Revenue Authority before joining the private business.
The death of Col. Jack Mucunguzi means that only seven of the original 27 fighters who escorted President Museveni to start the 1980 armed rebellion are still alive.
The current surviving original 27 NRA fighters include, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, Brig. Julius Kihandae, Col (rtd) Fred Mwesigye, Brig. Andrew Lutaaya, George Mwesigwa, and Col. Charles Tusiime Rutarago.
Those who passed away among the 27 include the famous Fred Rwigyema, Elly Tumwine, Sam Magara, Arthur Kasasira, Nathan Mweinemuzei, David Ndayondi, Robert Kabura, Lauben Ikondere, and Paul Kagina.
Others are Shaban Kashanku, Enock Mondo, Frank Kifuba, Aziz Bey, Maurice Katungi, Muley Muwanga, Akanga Byaruhanga, and Hannington Mugabi.