Rtd. Col. Anthony Kyakabale
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I News has it that Rtd. Col. Anthony Kyakabale, a former dissident, who had way back in in the early 2000’s declared war against the current government, has passed on in Sweden.
He was born in Kabale and he joined the army in 1980 and participated in the attack on Kabamba Barracks in February 1981, which sparked the liberation struggle.
Kyakabale was one of the pioneers of the five-year National Resistance Army (NRA) guerrilla war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power in 1986.
His involvement in Rwanda’s war of liberation saw him work closely with the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), where his military experience and regional networks were highly valued.
Although he was a decorated bush war veteran registered as RO/00058 in the army, he had broken ranks with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government when he and several other high-ranking officers, including Col Samson Mande, became increasingly disillusioned, particularly after their comrade, Dr Kizza Besigye, challenged President Museveni.
Facing an impending arrest and disciplinary action, Kyakabale fled the country in 2001.
Reconciliation
His prolonged exile ended in 2015 following a negotiated deal with the government, which saw him return home after twelve years away.
Upon his return, he met with President Museveni and offered an apology, after which he was promoted to the rank of Colonel and officially retired from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in 2016, finally settling back in his home village of Rushebeya, Kabale.
Upon his return, he was appointed Senior Presidential Advisor on Reconciliation, a role through which he promoted unity and national healing.
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