Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Lumumba eulogize Col Bantariza

First son and senior presidential advisor for special operations Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has paid tribute to former Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) mouthpiece Col Shaban Bantariza.

Col Bantariza succumbed to Covid19 on October 27 while at Mulago National Referral Hospital where he was admitted two days earlier after complaining of cough and chest pain.

Lt Gen Kainerugaba praised the deceased for his role in fighting the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in northern Uganda.

“very sad to hear of the passing on of Colonel Shaban Bantariza. He was our UPDF Spokesperson in the early 2000s, during the difficult days of the LRA insurgency in North and North Eastern Uganda,” said the first son.

Through his Twitter handle, Kainerugaba further hailed Col Bantariza for his excellent performance while still a serving army officer.

His contribution shall be greatly missed, continued the first son.

ENTER LUMUMBA

Meanwhile, ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba expressed sadness that the deputy government spokesperson had died at a time when he was greatly needed.

“My hearty condolences and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues as we accept his untimely death. Uganda has lost a gallant son at a time we needed him most,’’ she said.

Lumumba described Col Bantariza as a public relations expert and officer who had mentored many youths in the country through his assignments as the head of the National Leadership Institute (Nali), Kyankwanzi and at the Uganda Media Centre.

She was convinced he would “always be remembered as a public relations guru and a law-abiding citizen.’’