NTUNGAMO, UGANDA: Fresh details have emerged on the fatal road crash in which renowned Ugandan Businessman Apollo Nyegamehe alias Aponye lost his life on Thursday night in Ntungamo along the Mbarara-Kabale Highway.
The 9 pm accident involved the deceased’s car UBF 300Z (Land Cruiser) which rammed into a stationary Fuso Truck UAZ 767D at Itojo along the highway according to preliminary reports from police.
According to Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson SP Samson Kasasira, Aponye’s car was headed towards Kabale when the driver lost control and crashed into the FUSO truck that had encountered a mechanical problem and parked alongside the busy highway.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the Land Cruiser with registration UBF 300Z, heading towards Kabale, rammed into a stationary FUSO truck registered as UAZ 767D. The FUSO truck had encountered a mechanical problem and was parked alongside the road in Itojo along the Ntungamo-Mbarara Road,” said SP Kasasira.
SP Kasasira added that Aponye died on the spot while his driver and another occupant in the vehicle were evacuated with critical injuries and immediately transferred to Mbarara Hospital for medical management.
“Regrettably, Mr Apollo Nyegamehe lost his life in the accident. His remains have been transferred to the mortuary at Itojo Hospital. The two injured individuals were swiftly transported to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital for immediate medical attention,” he said.
DailyExpress has further established that Mr Apollo Nyegamehe was driving to his home village, Kigo in Muhanga Town Council for the burial of a Prisons driver who died on Wednesday in another road accident in Mpigi District.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa eulogized the late Aponye saying in a tweet, “Mr Apollo Nyegamehe’s death has hit us really hard! Since last night when we received the sad news and converged at his home in Lubowa, we have not come to terms with the tragedy.”
“Commonly known as Aponye, the astute businessman has been a mentor and father figure to many of us. We met in the scorching sun of Juba in 2008 and since then he has held my hand not only in business but in everything I have achieved,” he added.
Tayebwa sent his condolences to the wife Mrs. Vangi Nyegamehe, the children led by Harold Nyegamehe, Brodis, Patience, Arvin, Lynette, Peter, Yvonne, Kevin, Jackie, Martina, Annet.
“Kigezi, Uganda and Africa have lost a pillar and business icon. I want to thank our friends in Ntungamo who rushed at the scene and helped save other occupants of the car. To the medical team at Itojo Hospital, we can’t thank you enough. Rest in Peace Mzee. Mother Mary, whom you prayed to everyday will continue interceding for you.”
Aponye owned a string of businesses under his Aponye Ltd Empire including the popular Aponye Complex in Kampala which houses his Mega Standard Supermarket, Aponye Mall Ntinda, among others.
He was the current NRM Chairperson for Rukiga District in southwestern Uganda after his election into the position in 2021.
Aponye also dealt in manufacturing, grain supplies and manufacturing and was one of the major suppliers of COVID-19 relief maize flour and beans for which he became popular for the controversy surrounding how he was handpicked for the mega multi-billion.
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