As 2024 comes to an end, the Nile Post looks at some of the prominent people that were lost during the year.
Cecilia Ogwal
Uganda’s first beauty queen, long-serving legislator and senior opposition leader Cecilia Barbra Atim Ogwal died at the age of 77 in January, 2024.
Ogwal succumbed to cancer in India where she had been hospitalized for a number of months.
She has since been hailed for her role in changing the politics of the country.
Ogwal had been a member of Uganda’s legislature since 1966 and despite being in opposition, she commanded respect from everyone, including those in government.
Tamale Mirundi
Prominent journalist, former presidential press secretary and outspoken social commentator, Joseph Tamale Mirundi died on August 13 at the age of 60.
Mirundi died of lung-related complications at Kisubi Hospital, where he had been receiving treatment for over a month.
According to his family, Mirundi had been suffering from fluid accumulation in his lungs, which doctors had been draining.
Known for his fearless political commentary and sharp wit, Mirundi was one of Uganda’s most polarizing yet respected voices.
He courted controversy both in life and death due to his comments and decisions.
For example, before his death, Mirundi requested that his residences in Zana, Kabalagala, Kyengera, and his home village each host two-day vigils in his honor.
He wished for celebrations filled with music, food, and plenty of alcoholic beverages, reflecting his lively personality and desire for a spirited send-off.
Mirundi had also wished that he is buried while standing in the grave.
Whereas some of his wishes were granted, many others were denied.
Sarah Mateke
On September, 7, State Minister for Defence, Sarah Mateke who also doubled as Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament died at the age of 50.
The minister suffered a heart attack while at her home in Nsangi, in Wakiso district on a Saturday morning and died while being rushed to hospital.
She was described as a humble and dedicated servant of her country.
The daughter of former minister, Dr.Philemon Mateke was laid to rest in Kisoro and accorded a seven-gun salute.
Dr.Martin Aliker
On April, 15, renowned dental surgeon and businessman, Dr Martin Aliker died at the age of 95 at Nakasero Hospital where he had been admitted.
The pioneer of the East African dental surgeon by setting up the first black owned private dental practice in East Africa would later go on to chair board of various renowned companies including Coca Cola, Stanbic Bank, Uganda Breweries and Standard Chartered Bank among others.
He was also a shareholder in a number of renowned companies in the country.
Dr.Aliker also served as a senior Adviser in charge of special duties to President Museveni in 1986 but also as a state minister for foreign affairs between 1996 and 1999.
Onapito Ekomoloit
September, 27 was a sad day for the journalism fraternity as one of their own, Onapito Ekomoloit passed on at the age of 58.
Ona, as was popularly known succumbed to cancer which was in advanced stages.
The former legislators and corporate affairs manager at Nile Breweries Ltd was a man for all seasons and one who rose from a very humble upbringing where he was raised by the community in Amuria.
He had previously joined the presidency service in 2001 working the late Tamale Mirundi whould replace him when he stepped down in 2006 from what many consider a dream job as Presidential Press Secretary.
Rebecca Cheptegei
On September, 5, Ugandan cross country, long-distance and marathon runner, Rebecca Cheptegei died in Kenya at the age of 33.
Ms. Cheptegei who was the national record holder in marathon and a former world champion in mountain running died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret where she had been rushed after a petrol attack orchestrated by her her estranged boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, following a dispute.
The attack occurred in Trans Nzoia, Kenya, when Marangach reportedly doused her with petrol and set her ablaze upon her return from church.
She was returning from church with her two children when she was targeted.
Ms Cheptegei is said to have been rescued by neighbours after the incident that happened .at her home in the small town of Endebess.
It was said the two were wrangling over a piece of land and her death attracted widespread condemnation against gender based violence.
The husband to the Ugandan Olympian also later succumbed to injuries sustained during the attack.
Bishop Ssekkadde
On October, 17, tragedy befell the Anglican Church, after Namirembe Diocese Bishop Emeritus Samuel Balagadde Ssekkadde died of a heart attack .
Bishop Sekkadde died from Kisubi Hospital where he had been admitted.
He had served as the Bishop of Namirembe, the oldest diocese in the Anglican Church in Uganda for 16 years from 1994 to 2009.
Bishop Ssekkadde also served the church for over 50 years.
Surendra Madhvani
The fourth son of the founder of Madhvani Group, Muljibhai Prabhudas Madhvani died on September, 21.
Surubhai, as he was commonly referred to, died from Mumbai in India at the age of 82 and was one of the third generation Madhvanis groomed to take over from the second generation currently led by Mayur.
The others warming up for the director's office are Pratap Madhvani's sons Nikesh and Ronak, and Jayant Madhvani's son Nitin.
Khiddu Makubuya
On August, 19, former Attorney General, Khiddu Makubuya died at the age of 75.
Makubuya, a professor of law and a former Dean of the School of Law at Makerere University, died after a lengthy illness.
He had previously also served as Education and sports, and general duties minister but as Attorney General, he is remembered for having tried to enable the Electoral Commission to block Dr.Kizza Besigye’s 2005 nomination calling the then FDC president “less innocent” because he was on criminal court remand.
Jolly Mugisa
In September, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Western Uganda died at the age of 58.
Mugisa passed on at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, where she had been in a coma for several weeks.
The National Unity Platform said their deputy president would always be remembered as a trailblazer who fearlessly advocated for the marginalised and inspired a new generation of Ugandan leaders.
Dr. Cyprian Opira
On October 30, the Executive Director of St.Mary’s Lacor Hospital in Gulu died from complications related to stroke.
Dr.Opira died at Mulago hospital where he had been on admission for nearly a month.
Described as Northern Uganda’s father of radiology, Dr.Opira handled patients from Western Kenya, Eastern DRC, Sudan and Rwanda after the only radiotherapy machine at Mulago Hospital broke down in the 1990s and all patients had to travel to Lacor Hospital as the only facility with a functioning radiotherapy machine at the time.
His love for radiology made patients like him.
Frank Nabwiso
Busoga’s encyclopedia died at the age of 83 on December, 14.
Dr. Frank Nabwiso, a prominent historian, scholar, and politician breathed his last at Mukono Church of Uganda Hospital after being bedridden for some time.
Dr Nabwiso, widely respected for his intellect and dedication to public service, served as the Member of Parliament for Kagoma County in Jinja District from 2001 to 2006 but was unseated by Fredrick Nkayi in a highly contested race.
In 2021, Dr Nabwiso contested as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer for the Jinja City mayoral seat but came second to National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Peter Kasolo Okocha.
At the time of his death, Dr Nabwiso was a member of the FDC’s special Elders’ Council.
