'Yona Kanyomozi was a man of great intellect'

Politicians have described veteran politician Yona Kanyomozi as a man of great intellect, truthful and straight forward personality and a Ugandan who was truly patriotic.

Opposition behemoth Dr Kizza Besigye described the late as the bow tie gentle, intellectual and a man that has served his country well.

“Heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, congressmen and congresswomen, and all Ugandans," said Besigye in his condolence.

The acting national coordinator at Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) Alice Alaso, said Kanyomozi loved and served his country being part of the team that laid the post-independence foundation.

Yona Kanyomozi was an incorruptible leader. He spoke truth to power. In an era of transactional leadership and greed in politics, we shall miss the voice of Yona Kanyomozi as he tried desperately to salvage the country, “she said.

Alaso noted that Kanyomozi’s contribution as a member of Parliament, minister, and service to Uganda in other capacities in the region at large will forever be remembered.

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) called on the Parliament to accord the late an official burial in honour of his legacy and charismatic service to the development of Uganda.

The party challenged politicians to pick a leaf from the late Kanyomozi and stick to their political parties no matter the prevailing internal differences.

Kanyomozi, 81, died on August 28 at Nakasero Hospital, Kampala where he had gone for a routine medical checkup according to friends.

Kanyomozi was born on June 29, 1940 in Rukindo Village in Ntungamo Municipality.

He studied at Katunga Primary School in Rukungiri District. He later joined Mbarara High School and is one of the pioneer students of Ntare School which he joined in 1956, a year it was started.

In 1963, he joined London School of Economics and in 1966 he was awarded with a Bachelor of Science in Economic Theory.

Kanyomozi has previously served in different capacities as Minister, Member of Parliament at the national and regional level, activist, and technocrat.

He served as minister of Cooperatives and Marketing, Bushenyi South Member of Parliament during the Obote II regime in the 1980s and Kajara County representative in the National Resistance Council from 1989 to 1996.

Between 2001 and 2006, he represented Uganda at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Besides his political life, Kanyomozi served as an economic advisor in the then Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) from 1966 to 1970, Director of Industrial Development Center Uganda from 1970 to 1972, Assistant General Manager of the East African External Telecommunications Company from 1972 to 1977.