Kayunga, Uganda: Fresh details have emerged surrounding the tragic death of Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties and Kayunga District National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson Moses Karangwa Kaliisa, who succumbed to injuries following a fatal road crash along the Kayunga–Jinja highway on Sunday evening.
According to information obtained from family members and sources close to the incident, the crash occurred at around 8 pm at Ssuka Village in Nazigo Sub-county when the driver of Karangwa’s official Toyota double-cabin vehicle reportedly lost control and overturned several times.
Karangwa’s daughter, Ms Jacqueline Birungi, who was the NRM flag bearer for the Kayunga District Woman MP race, confirmed on Monday morning that her father had been travelling from Jinja back to Kayunga at the time of the accident.
She said he was initially rushed to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital before later being transferred to Nakasero Hospital in Kampala, where he died moments later while receiving treatment.
A police source familiar with the investigations told Monitor newspaper that the accident happened after the driver attempted to avoid a motorcycle rider who had abruptly entered the road.
“The driver was trying to dodge a motorcyclist who suddenly joined the road and he lost control of the vehicle,” the source said, as quoted by the local daily.
The officer added that the vehicle overturned multiple times during the crash, although the motorcyclist reportedly escaped unhurt. “The NRM boss was with his two bodyguards in the vehicle, and both of them survived with minor injuries, including the driver.”
According to the same source, the badly injured Karangwa was first ferried from the accident scene to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital on a motorcycle before arrangements were made to transfer him to Kampala for specialised treatment.
“After the nasty accident, Karangwa was whisked to Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital on a motorcycle from where he received some treatment before he was transferred to Nakasero Hospital, where he died moments later,” the officer said.
Final public appearances
Friends and political associates say Karangwa had remained active in political mobilisation activities until his final days.
Ms Prossy Naava, a councillor representing Kayunga Town Council and one of his close associates, revealed that she had met him in Kayunga Town shortly before the accident occurred.
“I had just seen him in town before he travelled towards Jinja side. A few minutes later, we heard he had got an accident,” she said.
Karangwa’s last major public appearance was reportedly on Friday last week during the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Kayunga District Chairperson Andrew Muwonge and district councillors.
During the event, he reportedly vowed to intensify the fight against corruption in the district, particularly alleged bribery and sale of government jobs.
Powerful mobiliser
Karangwa was widely regarded as one of the most influential political mobilisers in Kayunga District and Buganda region politics.
Known for his deep grassroots networks and strong mobilisation skills for the ruling NRM party, he steadily gained influence within party structures and State House circles over the years.
Last year, President Museveni appointed him Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, a role that further elevated his political standing.
Political observers in Kayunga described him as a powerful political figure whose influence often extended into local security and administrative affairs. “He was one of the most feared politicians in Kayunga. Many people believed he had influence over decisions concerning RDCs and DPCs in the district,” one local political leader said.
Besides politics, Karangwa was also a prominent businessman and education enthusiast.
Last month, he graduated with a Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration from Kampala University and had reportedly continued pursuing a degree in Business Administration.
Kayunga District Chairperson Andrew Muwonge described the deceased as a committed NRM cadre and selfless mobiliser who always answered the party’s call. “He was always available whenever the party needed mobilisation work. He served the party loyally,” Muwonge said.
By Monday morning, Karangwa’s body was still at Mulago National Referral Hospital mortuary as family members and government officials prepared burial arrangements.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
