Prime
Kategaya’s body flown home
Government officials receive the body of the late Eriya Kategaya. Photo by Martin Ssebuyiira
What you need to know:
The remains were transported by a chartered CESSNA 5Y-ZBG aircraft.
The body of the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Eriya Kategaya has Monday been flown home from Nairobi, Kenya where he died on Saturday. The remains were transported by a chartered CESSNA 5Y-ZBG aircraft.
He was received by Head of Luweero Defence Industries Brig. James Mugira, Police Chief Kale Kayihura, Commander Defence Forces Gen Aronda Nyakayirima, Minister for Presidency Frank Tumwebaze and State Minister for East African Affairs Shem Bageine among other dignitaries.
Army Spokesman Col Felix Kulaigye although was uncommitted to confirm the army’s involvement in the burial arrangement, said they may get involved.
“He was an honorary brigadier of the UPDF and it shouldn’t surprise you when they take over burial arrangement although it is yet to be confirmed,” he said.
Kategaya, a childhood friend of President Museveni, was considered the country’s de facto Number Two until 2003 when acrimonious debates about lifting of the constitutional provision on presidential term limits, which he opposed, polarised him and the President.
On Wednesday, a service will be held at All Saints Cathedral in Nakasero, after which the casket will leave for his ancestral home in Itojo, Ntungamo district.
Burial is scheduled for Thursday in Itojo Village.
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Kategaya's bio data
July 1943: Date of birth
1952: Began school at Itojo sub-grade in Ntungamo District.
1953: Relocated to Kyamate Primary School where met President Museveni. The pair remained life-long friends
1958: Sat Primary Leaving Examinations, joining Mbarara High (Junior) for 2 years.
1961: Enrolled at Ntare School, catching up again with Museveni. Both get inducted in politics following infatuation with socialist and revolutionary ideals.
1965: Following arrest of Minister Grace Ibingira and four of his colleagues by Obote 1 government; Kategaya, Museveni and late Black Mwesigwa, Martin Mwesigwa and Veleriano Rwaheru sought audience with then Ankole kingdom Prime Minister James Kahigiriza, enquiring about plans to fight Obote.
1967: Joined Dar es Salaam University for Law degree course, graduating in March, 1970.
Lectured at the Institute of Public Management (now Uganda Management Institute)
1971. Started work in the Attorney general’s chambers, later enrolled as advocate of the High Court and practiced with Ibingira & Mulenga Company Advocates. Around the same time, he began coordinating subversive activities led by Museveni by holding meetings and hosting prospective rebel recruits at his Mulago home. Instrumental in FRONASA, Popular Resistance Army (PRA) and NRA/M military struggles.
July 15, 1972: Weds first wife Joan. Afterwards, he fled to exile in Nairobi and took charge of the External Wing becoming the political envoy of NRA/M struggle to the world.
1986: NRA/M captures power and Kategaya works in various top ministerial positions until 2003.
2003: Sacked from Cabinet for opposing a proposal to scrap presidential term limits. Hobnobs with opposition politicians, and is associated with founding of the Forum for Democratic Change.
2006: Authors a book, Impassioned for Freedom, highlighting, among other things, his contribution to Uganda’s liberation.
Returns to government, appointed First deputy Prime Minister and in-charge of the East African Community ministerial docket.
2009: Blacks out. Medical examination finds blood clot in his arm. Keeps in and out of South African, India and Ugandan hospitals.
2013: Condition worsens, flown to Nairobi. Is in and out of Intensive Care.
March 2, 2013: Breathes his last
Source: Impassioned for Freedom book & family
