Col Samson Mande (R) talks to his comrade Jim Muhwezi during Uganda’s 63rd Independence celebrations at Kololo on 9th October 2025
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has made President Yoweri Museveni forgive his former enemies, one of whom is Col. Samson Mande.
“This spirit has played a vital role in uniting Ugandans, rebuilding relationships, and fostering national stability over the years,” he said during the 63rd Independence Day celebrations On Thursday at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds.
Museveni said these words as he welcomed his former comrade, Col. Samson Mande, who has been living in exile for years after falling out with the government.
The President praised Col. Mande for choosing to return home, describing his decision as a testament to Uganda’s open and reconciliatory approach.
“Even today, I am happy to welcome back into peaceful Uganda, Col. Samson Mande, who had fled into exile on account of, apparently, some internal intrigue,” he said.
Said Museveni: “While in exile, he tried to engage in some rebel activities. When, however, our cadres contacted him in Sweden, he happily agreed to come back and disconnect himself from the rebel activities.”
The President recalled Col. Mande’s contribution to Uganda’s liberation struggle, noting his service as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major General Silas Mayunga in 1979, and later as commander of the 15th Battalion during the Siege of Masaka in 1985.
“I remember Samson Mande in 1979 operating as a volunteer scout for the Task Force Division of the TPDF under Major-General Silas Mayunga in Mbarara. I was commanding the 9,000-strong Fronasa fighting force.
Later, Mande did a good job as commander of the 15th Battalion in the Siege of Masaka in 1985 and in subsequent assignments. We welcome him,” he said.
Col. Mande, in turn, expressed gratitude to the President and government for welcoming him back, pledging to work with the government in promoting peace and national unity.
Col Mande, a strong critic of NRM, has been living in Sweden since he fled to exile with Lt. Col Anthony Kyakabale. The duo first settle in Rwanda and later to the Scandinavian nation after falling out with President Museveni in 2001.
Lt Col (rtd) Kyakabale returned to Uganda and met President Museveni before travelling back to Sweden at a later stage. Kyakabale, who was a Bush War fighter and a key figure in the Rwandan civil war that ousted former Rwandan Juvenal Habyarimana in 1994, died last week after a long illness, Habari Daily has reliably learnt.
The Independence cerebrations were graced by the Deputy President of Kenya, ambassadors, government officials, religious leaders, and cultural leaders, among other dignitaries who joined Ugandans in celebrating the country’s continued journey of peace and development.
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