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Who was Haruna Kayondo, the driver killed in the line of duty?
Haruna Kayondo, Gen Katumba’s driver. He was also killed in the attack. PHOTO | COURTESY.
What you need to know:
- Born in Lugando Village, Bigasa Sub-county in Bukomansimbi District, Kayondo died at the age of 38 behind the wheel on Tuesday morning after succumbing to gunshot wounds during a shooting incident that occurred on Kisota road, a narrow road before the Northern Bypass at the Kisaasi-Ntinda junction in Kampala.
Haruna Kayondo, the late driver of Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, the outgoing Works and Transport minister, first worked as a taxi driver before joining the army.
The revelation was made to Daily Monitor yesterday by Ms Madina Nakibuule, an elder sister of the deceased.
“Haruna had incredible driving skills and was a taxi driver operating on the Bukomansimbi-Masaka route. He later abandoned the taxi business and joined the army in 2006,” Ms Nakibuule said.
Born in Lugando Village, Bigasa Sub-county in Bukomansimbi District, Kayondo died at the age of 38 behind the wheel on Tuesday morning after succumbing to gunshot wounds during a shooting incident that occurred on Kisota road, a narrow road before the Northern Bypass at the Kisaasi-Ntinda junction in Kampala.
In the same vehicle was also Brenda Nantongo, a daughter of Gen Wamala who died on spot. Gen Wamala on the other hand sustained injuries and was later hospitalised at Medipal International Hospital in Kampala. He was discharged yesterday.
Ms Nakibuule said Kayondo has been a sole bread winner for his young family, including a wife and four children. In addition, he was also taking care of relatives who needed financial assistance from time to time.
“Kayondo has been a strong pillar of our family. Both of us have been taking care of the 20 children left behind by our two deceased siblings. I really do not know how I will singlehandedly shoulder this huge burden,” Ms Nakibuule said.
Kayondo was the last born of four.
Mr Joseph Kalyango, a friend of the deceased, told Daily Monitor yesterday that the news of Kayondo’s death struck him like thunder.
“I studied with Kayondo in primary school. He was steadfast and ambitious. I never imagined he would ever work for high profile people like Gen Wamala,” he said. Mr Kalyango asked government to thoroughly investigate the incident and release a report.
“Many people have been killed and no investigation reports are released. We hope this particular one will come out and we know the real motive of the killers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Matthew Amon Ssekaana, another friend of the deceased, said he knew him for a period of 20 years.
“He was more than a friend to me, more like a brother. He was very hardworking, friendly and with a great sense of humour,” he said.
Kayondo started his primary education at Kayunga Private Primary School in Lugando Village in1989 and dropped out in Primary Five in 2005 due to fees challenges.
“This is when his elder brother Edrisa Lugumya (deceased) started training him as a taxi driver and they worked together for one year as drivers on Bukomansimbi-Masaka road until 2006 when Kayondo joined the army,” Ms Nakibuule said.
Ms Nakibuule said the UPDF had not yet released the burial programme and Kayondo’s body was still at Bombo barracks.
The UPDF spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso, had yesterday morning told Daily Monitor that they were still making arrangements and promised to get back to us. She, however, did not call back or pick our phone calls during the course of the day.
Compiled by Issa Aliga, Wilson Kutamba & Esther Oluka
