Dr Kisamba Mugerwa RIP, Luweero leaders mourn icon

Leaders in Luwero district have mourned the death of Wilberforce Kisamba Mugerwa the former Member of Parliament and Minister.

Dr Kisamba Mugerwa aged 75 years died on Thursday at Mulago National Referral Hospital where he was rushed last week after developing breathing complications over COVID 19 infection.

Kisamba served in several cabinet positions for close to 15 years as State Minister for Luwero Triangle, Microfinance, General Duties and Agriculture till he resigned in 2004.

He also served as Bamunanika County Member of Parliament for 24 years and first LCV Chairperson of Luwero district from 1986 to 1991. He also served as Executive Chairperson of National Planning from 2008 to 2018 and by the time of his death he was serving as Board Chairman of Uganda Microfinance Support Centre.

Kisamba’s death has struck hard the residents and local leaders in Luwero where he was born as well served in his early years.

Kisamba has been described as truth worthy, straight forward, icon, industrious, and most importantly incorruptible.

Abdul Nadduli the Senior Presidential Advisor said that Kisamba served diligently in all capacities entrusted to him and has never been named in any corruption scandal like many politicians of today.

“Kisamba was not like the politicians who get positions and tomorrow you hear that money meant for government project disappeared in their docket”. Nadduli said.

Nadduli said that the country has lost a man of respectable calibre and politicians should emulate him.

Erasto Kibirango a politician from Bamunanika County said that Kisamba was the only voice as the area MP during the NRA war and continued to speak about the atrocities that were being committed by the government during the time something risky.

Kibirango added that he and others were inspired to join politics by the courageous Kisamba whom they grew up seeing as a successful political leader. Kibirango is now contesting for LC 5 Chairman seat.

He said that unlike politicians of today, Kisamba was open-minded, never lied and was always straight to all people who approached him.

“Kisamba was the person where you go could seek for help but he tells you frankly that I won’t do that or I will do it for you. Today many politicians will instead lie to you till you give up. Secondly, Kisamba was careful with people who approached him saying he could identify with weak souls” Kibirango added.

Rebecca Nalwanga the Former Luwero District Woman Member of Parliament said that Kisamba will be remembered for laying a good foundation for Luwero district after he was elected as the first chairperson in 1986.

Nalwanga explained that by that time, Luwero comprised of three districts which include Nakasongola, Nakaseke and Luwero but he put structures which all are operating now.

Nalwanga also revered Kisamba for being God-fearing and being resourceful to Luwero Diocese where he was serving as the Chancellor of Ndejje University till his death.

Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka the LCV Chairperson Nakaseke and former campaigner manager to the deceased in the late 1980s said that Kisamba was industrious and never tired till he achieves the main goal. He praised him for lobbying many development projects for the area till he died.

Koomu says recently he endorsed the district’s request for branches of Uganda Microfinance Support centre for Ngoma and Kiwoko town council which have since been established to promote access to affordable financial services.

Both Dithan Kikabi the District Speaker and Joseph Serugo the Vice Chairman of Luwero district said that although he retired as an active politician, Kisamba had remained as advisor and mentor to local leaders because of reputable character.

Kisamba held a PHD in Agricultural economics from Makerere University and was a former research fellow with Makerere Institute of Social Research. He was also a spring semester visiting professor for International Studies in Rural Development at Williams College, Massachusetts, USA.

In 2018, he authored a book titled Luweero Triangle in the Limelight in which he explained how the war devastated the area, post-recovery war efforts and issues that still hinder the development of the area. In his concluding remarks in the book, Kisamba said Luwero area is still traumatized and if there are no deliberate efforts undertaken, the stigma may transit to another generation.

“Luwero triangle needs democratic and enterprising leadership at all levels. The NRM Government still should redeem its area” he concluded in his book.

Last year Kisamba also released another book titled A Focused Journey. The book was selected as the best of 2019 in the Culture/Ethics/Biographies category of the Uganda Book Awards.

Mugerwa was born on July 5, 1945, in Bamunanika County, Luweero district. He is expected to laid to rest at Kikonda village in Bamunanika county but burial arrangements are yet to be announced by the family.      

URN