RUKIGA, UGANDA – The President of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, visited the home of the late Akankwasa Henry in Rukiga District to console the bereaved family and pay his respects to a man he described as a courageous and dedicated freedom fighter.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The late Akankwasa Henry, a revered historical figure of the National Resistance Army (NRA) struggle, passed away on Monday, November 24, 2025, at his home in Kazindiro Village, Kyerero Parish, Bukinda Sub-county, in Rukiga District.
The President, who was on his way to Rushebeya Playground in Rwamucucu Sub-county for his presidential campaign rally on Tuesday, personally visited the late Akankwasa’s home, where he delivered 10 million UGX towards the burial arrangements.
President Museveni’s visit to console the bereaved family was a gesture underscoring the deep bonds forged during the liberation war.The late Akankwasa Henry holds a significant place in Uganda’s modern history as one of the small, dedicated group of pioneers who answered President Museveni’s call to take up arms in the late 1970s.
This decisive action followed the controversial general elections of 1980, which were widely marred by allegations of gross irregularities.
Disillusioned by the political climate, Museveni, along with a small band of supporters including Akankwasa, embarked on the armed struggle that would later be known as the “Bush War.” This five-year conflict culminated in the capture of power in January 1986.
President Museveni’s presence at the home of the deceased was a powerful tribute to this shared history and the sacrifices made by the first cadres of the NRA.Akankwasa Henry served his nation with distinction throughout his military career.
At the time of his retirement from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in 2003, he was serving with the esteemed 1st Battalion, which operates under the 301 Brigade, then commanded by Kamumanwire Jussy.His long service, which began in the bush and continued into the formal army structure, marked him as a steadfast and disciplined soldier committed to the stability of Uganda.
The community of Bukinda Sub-county and Rukiga District at large is in mourning, remembering one of their own who played a part in shaping the nation’s destiny.
The legacy of the late Akankwasa Henry, as one of the original bush war combatants, remains a point of pride and a significant chapter in the region’s history.Funeral and burial arrangements are currently underway at the family home in Kazindiro Village.
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