30 years later, family of fallen NRA hero Col Ondoga still wait for broken promises

Col Ondoga’s brother, Mr Chombe Amaza, says the pledges made at the burial in 1995, which include constructing a family house, completing his commercial building, and establishing a technical school in his memory, remain unfulfilled, leaving the family in hardship around a recently renovated grave that was collapsing.

Moyo, Uganda: The family of fallen NRA liberation hero Colonel Geoffrey Ondoga Ori Amaza is living in deplorable conditions three decades after government and UPDF leaders promised to support his dependants and honour his legacy, relatives have revealed.

During a visit to the homestead in Laropi Town Council on November 19, 2025, Col Ondoga’s brother, Mr Chombe Amaza, said the pledges made at the burial, constructing a family house, completing his commercial building, and establishing a technical school in his memory, remain unfulfilled, leaving the family in hardship around a recently renovated grave that was collapsing.

Mr Chombe recounted how the burial committee, chaired by the late Brigadier Noble Mayombo, agreed on a package of support for the family, only for the commitments to fade with time. “I wish Brig. Mayombo were alive; the situation would be different. The UPDF leadership has failed to honour my brother’s sacrifice,” he said.

The family’s frustration contrasts sharply with this year’s Tarehe Sita theme, “Defending the gains of the revolution and honouring the sacrifice of the freedom fighters,” which Mr Chombe says rings hollow for Col Ondoga.

One of the Brains of the NRA/M Revolution

Col Ondoga was a key figure in the political and ideological wing of the liberation struggle. He authored the authoritative book “Museveni’s Long March: From Guerrilla to Statesman”, documenting the history of the NRM revolution and President Museveni’s rise to power.

Conscripted in 1982 alongside Dr Ronald Bata while working at Nakaseke Hospital, he rose through the ranks from the NRA medical wing to become Political Commissar of the Black Bomber unit under Gen Matayo Kyaligonza. He documented the Luweero Triangle operations, producing critical material on guerrilla discipline, political direction and combat engagements.

He later trained in Libya, served as Special District Administrator in Kabale and Moyo, became Director of the National Political School in Entebbe, Director of Information for the NRM, and a member of the Ranch Restructuring Committee.

He also co-led the major 1990s repatriation mission for Ugandan refugees fleeing the SPLA–Sudan conflict, in partnership with UNHCR.

In 1993, Ondoga was elected by the Army Council as a Constituent Assembly delegate, contributing to the writing of the 1995 Constitution shortly before his death.

Local Leaders Have Tried, but the State Has Not Acted

Moyo District Chairperson Hon Anyama Williams confirmed that he has repeatedly written to the NRM leadership asking for action on the pledges but has received no tangible response. “During the President’s recent visit, I included the plight of Col Ondoga’s family in our district memo. We hope the commitments are finally honoured,” he said.

He added that the district government managed to build a general ward at Ubi Health Centre IV in the late officer’s memory, but said this cannot substitute the promises made by UPDF leadership. “It is painful that his comrades seem to have forgotten him,” Anyama said.

A Life of Service from Nakaseke to the Battlefield

Born on September 12, 1958, in Laropi Central Village, Moyo District, Col Ondoga studied at Laropi Primary School and St Aloysius College Nyapea before joining Mulago Medical School. He worked as a laboratory technician at Nakaseke Hospital until he was abducted into the NRA in 1982, a moment that marked the beginning of his revolutionary journey.