Kasese: Families of 9 local leaders killed on Independence Day in 1989 seek formal recognition

State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga, expressed regret over the lack of recognition for the victims.

As Uganda celebrates its 62nd Independence Anniversary, families of nine officials murdered by the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) in a 1989 attack in Kasese District are calling on the government and President Museveni to recognise the sacrifice of their loved ones.

The tragic event took place on October 9, 1989, during the 27th Independence Anniversary.

At around 5am on the dark morning, gunmen disguised as soldiers of the National Resistance Army (NRA) — now the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF) — raided Busyangwa village in Khitholhu Sub-county, Bukonzo West, Kasese District, and left a trail of destruction.

By the time the attackers withdrew, nine Resistance Council (RC) officials, now known as Local Council (LC) officials, had been brutally murdered.

The assailants, members of the now-defunct NALU, accused the RCs of supporting President Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Charles Muhindo Musema, a survivor of the raid, expressed his frustration over the government's failure to recognize those who died in service. “Since the attack, the government has never acknowledged them as people who died on government duty,” he said.

Jockim Muke, son of one of the victims, also urged the government to formally recognize the families’ loss and their loved ones' contribution.

Lt Joe Walusimbi, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kasese, noted that security in the district has greatly improved, crediting cooperation from neighboring communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo for intelligence that helped stabilize the region.

Responding to the families’ plea, State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga, expressed regret over the lack of recognition for the victims.

"I apologize on behalf of the government for not considering these people. I promise to deliver your message to the President," Kabyanga said, pledging to raise the issue with Museveni.

The minister also encouraged the affected families to take advantage of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga to improve their livelihoods.

As Uganda celebrates its independence, the people of Kasese continue to honor the memory of the nine RC officials who died in the line of duty, hoping that their sacrifice will one day be formally recognised.