A heavy wave of grief has swept through the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Mukono following the death of Charles Wakibugu, the Seeta Ward councillor in Mukono Municipality and the party’s flagbearer seeking a second term.
Wakibugu, widely admired for his energy and devotion to community service, had lived with sickle cell disease for years.
According to Mukono Municipality Speaker Dorah Nakaddu, his condition worsened abruptly.
“He became unconscious yesterday, and we rushed him to Mukono General Hospital. Unfortunately, he was declared dead this morning,” Nakaddu said, her voice heavy with emotion.
The news has dealt a painful blow to the NUP fraternity. Just a month ago, Wakibugu was seen moving through Seeta, smiling and vibrant as he handed a symbolic spear to Betty Nambooze during the launch of her campaigns.
His political future seemed bright, and his dedication to his community was unquestioned.
Susan Bogere, the NUP flag bearer for Mukono Central Division chairperson, struggled with the weight of the loss.
“We have lost an outstanding representative. Wakibugu was an irreplaceable member of our party; he loved his president Robert Kyagulanyi and the party itself with all his heart,” Bogere said.
Fellow council members described him as a passionate mobiliser whose voice carried the concerns of the ordinary people.
“He was an energetic mobiliser and a passionate advocate for community development,” one colleague said, recalling how Wakibugu always stepped forward to defend community interests.
His death marks the third loss of a youthful councilor in Goma Division within the current five-year term.
He follows the earlier deaths of Shanon Mubuuke and Racheal Nakamanya, who had replaced Mubuuke as youth councilor.
Their consecutive deaths have left the municipality in a deep state of sorrow, with leaders and residents struggling to come to terms with yet another painful loss.