KAMPALA, UGANDA: The former National Resistance Army (NRA) commander who played a vital part in the 1986 bush war, Lt Col (rtd) Ahmed Kashillingi has died at the age of 82.
Security Minister Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi confirmed Kashillingi’s death in a tweet on Thursday afternoon.
Muhwezi eulogized the late as a brave and dedicated soldier whose efforts saw them topple the Obote II’s and the subsequent Gen Tito Okello Lutwa’s governments in 1986.
“I am saddened to announce the passing of comrade Lt Col (rtd) Ahmed Kashilling. He was a brave and dedicated soldier. He served his country until now when he has gone be with his creator,” he tweeted on Thursday morning, adding, “May Allah rest the soul of my departed comrade in eternal peace.”
Who was Lt Col Ahmed Kashillingi?
Born in 1940, Ahmed Kashillingi is popularly known to have commanded the 5th battalion under NRA that captured the strategic Katonga Bridge on Masaka-Mbarara Road. His battalion also blocked Entebbe Road during the final onslaught on Kampala in 1986.
However, a few years after the NRA/M captured power in 1986, he retired from the army to work in the security ministry as a principal technical officer.
On February 6, 1988, when NRA commissioned formal ranks, Kashillingi was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel along with Mugisha Muntu, Kizza Besigye, Jim Muhwezi, Kasirye Ggwanga, Ivan Koreta, and Stephen Kashaka among others.
In 1990, President Museveni ordered the arrest of Kashilling on allegations of Treason, which led to his exile to the neighboring Zaire (present day DRC) using a stolen army vehicle where he was offered safe passage through Buganza- Nyamirima-Rutshuru and Goma before President Mobutu Sese Seko invited him to the capital Kinshasa.
Years later, the Ugandan government, through the state minister for foreign affairs, Omara Atubo, pleaded with Mobutu’s government to extradite Kashillingi.
Subsequently, in 1991, Kashillingi was kidnapped in Beni at night and was brought back to Kampala. He was charged with treason and sent to prison. In court, Kashillingi was represented by Remmy Kasule and Edward Muguluma.
Eventually, on February 17, 1995, Kashillingi was acquitted.
Lt Col (rtd) Ahmed Kashillingi was also the father of prominent city lawyer, Hussein Kashillingi.
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