Haruna Kayondo, the late driver of Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, is one of the victims that succumbed to the gun wounds inflicted on him on Tuesday when gunmen tried to assassinate his boss Gen. Katumba.
Kayondo breathed his last breathe while on duty driving his boss to the late mother in law’s virgil in Namasuba. He was the first to be confirmed dead before Katumba’s daughter Brenda Wamala.
He died at the age of 38 and was survived with four children and a wife.
In an interview run by Daily Monitor, Madina Nakibuule, an elder sister of the deceased said that Kayondo was the youngest in their family of four. Born in Lugando Village, Bigasa Sub-county in Bukomansimbi District
Nakibuule disclosed that Kayondo did not go far in his studies as he only managed to reach Primary Five and he dropped out in 2005 as their family could not afford school fees.
His elder brother Edrisa Lugumya (deceased) introduced him to the taxi business and trained him how to drive. He quickly got the skills and they worked together for one year as drivers on Bukomansimbi-Masaka road.
Kayondo who is remembered as a hard worker decided to aim higher in his endeavours by joining the army in 2006. For years he has worked with several VIPs and has spent most of his time with Gen. Katumba.
Nakibuule said Kayondo turned a strong pillar for the family as two of his elder brothers died leaving behind 20 children whom Kayondo has been looking after.
“He was our sole bread winner for his young family, including a wife and four children. He has been a strong pillar of our family. Both of us have been taking care of the 20 children left behind by our two deceased siblings. I really do not know how I will singlehandedly shoulder this huge burden,” Nakibuule said.
Though UPDF has not yet released the burial programme as his body is still at Bombo barracks, family thinks he will be buried on Friday in Bukomansimbi.