He later transitioned into intelligence work, gathering information on government military operations and relaying it to rebel commanders. “My role was to monitor troop movements and alert our forces so they could prepare accordingly,” he says.
MUKONO, Uganda — At the age of 36, George William Sikubwabo Kyeyune made a decision that would alter the course of his life forever. Leaving behind a stable career, a young family, and the comforts of civilian life, he joined the armed struggle that eventually brought the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to power in 1986.
Today, at 81, Kyeyune sits at his retirement home in Kiyunga-Namirembe Village, Kyampisi Sub-county, Mukono District, reflecting on the sacrifices, dangers, and convictions that drove him to join the liberation war.
Before entering the bush, Kyeyune worked as Chief Technician in the Department of Pathology at Makerere University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. However, following the disputed 1980 general elections, he says he became convinced that armed resistance was the only remaining option.
“I willingly gave up my employment because I believed Uganda deserved better,” Kyeyune recalls.
A member of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM), Kyeyune says he was inspired by the party’s chairman, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, to join what would later become the National Resistance Army (NRA).
According to Kyeyune, the period following the 1980 elections was marked by insecurity, political tension, and widespread public frustration.
“People had lost hope. There was fear everywhere, and many felt there was no future under the government at the time,” he says.
A Secret Decision
The decision to join the rebellion was not an easy one.
At the time, Kyeyune was married and raising four children. Yet he chose not to inform his family about his plans.
Looking back, he acknowledges the burden that decision placed on his loved ones but says it ultimately protected them.
His fears proved justified when he was later arrested and detained for nearly three years.
“They searched my home and confiscated property, but they did not arrest my family members because they had no knowledge of my activities,” he recalls.
During his imprisonment, his wife remained employed and became the family’s sole provider, while friends occasionally stepped in to offer support.
Recruitment, Intelligence and the Bush War
Kyeyune says his early responsibilities in the liberation struggle included recruiting supporters and transporting new recruits to training locations.
Between January and October 1981, he worked extensively to mobilize Ugandans behind the movement’s cause.
He later transitioned into intelligence work, gathering information on government military operations and relaying it to rebel commanders.
“My role was to monitor troop movements and alert our forces so they could prepare accordingly,” he says.
One of his most vivid memories comes from October 1981, when a group of approximately 31 fighters established a position in Buwuule Village along Masaka Road.
According to Kyeyune, government forces quickly discovered their location and launched an attack involving more than 200 soldiers.
The ensuing battle lasted about 40 minutes.
“We managed to withdraw safely and return to our headquarters at Matugga,” he recalls.
However, his freedom was short-lived.
The following day, Kyeyune was arrested and detained.
Nearly Three Years in Detention
Kyeyune spent two years, nine months, and ten days in detention before being released under a government amnesty granted to prisoners of war in July 1984.
Despite the hardships he says he endured during imprisonment, he maintains that he never revealed sensitive information about the rebel movement.
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Upon release, he immediately rejoined the struggle and resumed intelligence operations, particularly in Kampala.
“It took courage to return to the same work after prison, but we believed in what we were fighting for,” he says.
Kyeyune credits ordinary Ugandans for playing a critical role in the success of the liberation struggle.
“They fed us, sheltered us, provided information, and protected us. Without the support of civilians, the struggle would have been much more difficult.”
Victory and Service
Following the NRA’s capture of power in January 1986, Kyeyune says fighters gathered to determine the country’s leadership.
According to his account, Yoweri Museveni was unanimously selected to become Uganda’s president.
Kyeyune himself went on to serve in several government positions.
He worked as a Senior Intelligence Officer in Military Intelligence before moving to the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) as a senior counter-intelligence officer. He later served as Mukono District Administrator, Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Gulu and Mbarara, and held positions within the External Security Organisation.
He also served as Senior Private Secretary to the President in charge of welfare for nine years before retiring from active public service in 2008.
By January 2019, when this interview was conducted, Kyeyune was serving as a Senior Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs.
Reflections on Uganda’s Progress
Reflecting on the country’s journey since 1986, Kyeyune points to infrastructure, education, urban growth, and political participation as some of Uganda’s notable achievements.
He notes that higher education institutions have expanded significantly over the years, while roads and public services have improved across many parts of the country.
“We fought because we wanted a better Uganda. When I look at the growth in education, infrastructure and opportunities available today, I see progress,” he says.
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At the same time, he acknowledges that challenges remain, particularly corruption.
He argues that anti-corruption institutions should be strengthened and calls on Ugandans to reject the normalization of corrupt practices.
“We should stop glorifying corruption. Young people need positive examples, not shortcuts to wealth,” he says.
Message to the Youth
As debates continue over leadership succession and youth participation in governance, Kyeyune encourages young Ugandans to engage actively in democratic processes.
“The youth are today’s leaders and tomorrow’s leaders,” he says. “If they want leadership, they should participate, organize, and seek it through elections.”
Now retired and engaged in poultry farming on his 16-acre property in Mukono District, Kyeyune says patience and hard work remain the keys to success.
“I always tell young people that genuine wealth takes time to build. Quick riches often come at a cost,” he says.
As Uganda reflects on its history and future, Kyeyune remains convinced that the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle were aimed at creating a country where citizens can determine their leaders through the ballot box and pursue their aspirations in peace.