Retired Colonel Anthony Kyakabale, once a close associate of President Yoweri Museveni, has died in Sweden, where he had been living for several years. Family members say he passed away after battling a long illness.
Kyakabale played an important role in Uganda’s liberation struggle during the 1980s and later contributed to the Rwandan civil war that led to the fall of President Juvenal Habyarimana in 1994. His military skills and experience made him a key figure in regional conflicts, especially with the Rwandan Patriotic Army.
Despite his early alliance with President Museveni, their relationship eventually broke down, and Kyakabale went into exile in Sweden. While abroad, he continued to speak out on issues of peace, governance, and national unity in Uganda and across the region.
Years later, President Museveni granted him a pardon, allowing him to return to Uganda. After his return, Kyakabale was appointed as a Senior Presidential Advisor on Reconciliation, where he focused on promoting peace and healing among Ugandans.
Col. Kyakabale’s death brings to a close a remarkable life journey—from fighting in regional liberation wars to living in exile, and later reconciling with the government he once opposed.