By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
Just before Saturday’s Liberation Day, Psychologically tortured Rose Namayanja, wife to the late Francis Kakooza who was abducted and killed during the NRA bush is demanded government to accord her family national recognition in remembrance of her hubby who was kidnapped around 1983 and has never been seen again since.
Elderly Namayanja who resides in Abaita Ababiri zone, Katabi Town Council, Wakiso district, told this reporter that whenever she recalls the way her hubby was abducted she sheds a lot of tears and her mind has never settled as she recalls the hey days with her hubby who she has never seen again.
In her tale she told us:
‘Prior to abducting my lovely hubby Francis Kakooza –he was the Health Inspector for Entebbe Town Council then and he operated a bar and lodge at Abaita Ababiri zone. He was abducted around 1983 when the National Resistance Army (NRA) rebels had intensified the war to capture power from the late Dr. Milton Obote. My husband was abducted after his lodging facility was suspected to have accommodated the most wanted NRA rebel leader, the previous night. It was later discovered my husband was a close ally to the NRA rebel commander and it was established that he was in charge of recruitment in Entebbe sub-region, ‘said distressed Namayanja.
‘Before he was abducted by Dr. Obote’s soldiers, the Gombolola Chief then, Night Kulabako had talked to him on accusations of housing the NRA top commander. Later after one day, my husband was abducted moreover during broad daylight and he attempted to flee but unfortunately he fell into a drainage system which gave an advantage to Obote’s soldiers who were in army uniforms and plain clothes to nab him. His abduction was witnessed by many locals since it was done during day time. He was severely tortured at the scene before he was whisked away.
‘At the time the incident took place I was at home preparing lunch but when I was informed about it, I rushed to the scene only to find when my husband had been abducted by Dr. Obote’s merciless soldiers. I got so concerned about his whereabouts and someone took me to Kirunda, then Minister of Internal affairs in Obote’s government. Kirunda informed me my husband had been killed and I should not waste time looking for him anymore. I was not convinced by his statement and proceeded first to Makindye Military barracks and thereafter went to Mbuya barracks as I shouted his name out loud. I also went an extra mile to visit other abduction centers but all in vain, ‘said Namayanja, a widow to the late Kakooza.
‘Later after 2 years, I had a dream in which the deceased informed me that he was killed and buried in a forest. The following day, I held a funeral service at my residence in Abaita Ababiri zone. But if my husband had not ignored early warnings that he was wanted for hosting an NRA Leader, he would not have been abducted.
‘My husband’s friend, Bernardo Kayizi was also linked to NRA leader and he was also kidnapped by Dr. Obote’s soldiers who drove him away in a land rover –which was the most powerful car at that time. This second shocking incident left many locals in Abaita Ababiri zone in a state of agony,’ Elderly Namayanja noted.’
Son to the deceased speaks out
Businessman Fred Lwasa- the son to the late Francis Kakooza says his father was abducted when he was 6years. He revealed that he grew up in adversity and that his mother Namayanja tried her best to educate him and his sister till she ran out of school fees. He adds that he greatly misses his father’s love since childhood and thanked his mother Rose Namayanja for nurturing them into responsible citizens.
Entebbe Awards committee chairperson speaks out
The Chairperson of presidential awards committee, Dan Fred Lutaaya says though the President had previously talked of recognizing both the family of the late Francis Kakooza and Bernardo Kayizzi, the two families have never been recognized yet they have gone through terrible social and economic situations since losing their daily bread winners . Mr. Lutaaya adds that based on his observation, the two families of the abductees need serious rehabilitation and care since they are still in total shock.
