{UAH} REVISITING THE DEATH OF A CIVILIAN BRIGADIER NOBLE MAYOMBO

Written by CHANGE OF GRAUDS

Around late 1985, a young law student from Makerere University joined Museveni's NRA guerrilla group, which had effectively controlled the western region of the country. He did not undergo basic military training but was enrolled in political indoctrination sessions known as the Cadre Course. Four months later, in January 1986, the NRA took over the government, and Noble Mayombo continued to serve in the army's Political Commissariat Department, responsible for political indoctrination. Holding the title of Political Commission, he worked as a political education instructor at the army's School of Political Education (SOPE), earning the rank of Lieutenant when he returned to Makerere University in 1989 to complete his law degree. During this time, he gained public attention when he ran for the Students' Guild presidency. He ran in a closely contested race against Nobert Mao, the current Minister of Justice. The election became a battle between the Museveni regime and the opposition, with Mao emerging as the winner. However, the conflict persisted, leading to student riots where soldiers opened fire, causing fatalities and injuries. Jacob Oulanya was among the students who were shot and injured during the incidents.

Mayombo became Museveni's bodyguard/Aide De Camp (ADC) and later one of the ten army representatives in the 1994–1995 Constituent Assembly (CA). He also became one of the ten Members of Parliament representing the army in the legislature. Despite not receiving any formal military training to advance his career, he was appointed Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI). However, instead of focusing on military intelligence, Mayombo ended up being involved in Museveni's diplomatic and political tasks. His tenure as CMI was marked by severe human rights abuses. These abuses included arbitrary detentions, brutal physical torture, summary executions, the operation of secret torture chambers known as Safe Houses, political repression, and other unethical practices. The CMI became more of a political tool for Museveni's government rather than an army department. To demonstrate his loyalty to Museveni, Mayombo even ordered the arrest and torture of his own younger brother, who was part of the opposition camp.

Despite the negative aspects of his career, Mayombo was widely regarded as a highly capable army officer and was seen by some as a potential presidential candidate. Both the gullible citizens and Mayombo himself believed that Museveni was grooming him to succeed as the next president. However, Museveni, who knew the public sentiment, took steps to deal with him. Acknowledging Mayombo's civilian background, Museveni expedited his promotions within the army. In 2005, Mayombo was awarded the rank of Brigadier and appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. The ministry, being the main recipient of the national budget and a channel for regime corruption, posed a challenge for the incorruptible civilian Brigadier Mayombo, who inevitably clashed with those in power.

On May 1, 2007, Civilian Brigadier Noble Mayombo passed away at the Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. He had been admitted to two different local hospitals in Kampala for three days before being transferred to Agha Khan Hospital. Following his death, speculations of foul play emerged, suggesting that he had been assassinated. The then Director of Medical Services of the army, Dr. James Makumbi, presented a report to parliament ruling out poisoning and attributing Mayombo's death to acute pancreatitis. During Mayombo's burial on May 6, Museveni hinted that the possible culprits could be Uganda's "enemies in the region," specifically referring to Rwanda. However, the public remained sceptical of this narrative and maintained that the death was due to internal political intrigues.

Museveni appointed a three-member committee, including Dr. Peter Mugyenyi, the Director of the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC), Gen. James Mugira, who was then the Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI), and Col. Nelson Rusoke Agaswire, a biochemist with a Masters in toxicology, to investigate the death. The committee submitted its report to Museveni in November 2007, but the findings were kept secret, fueling further speculation of foul play. In an interview with the Daily Monitor in April 2012, Maj. Okwir Rabwoni, Mayombo's younger brother, expressed his frustration at not being informed about the investigation or receiving a copy of the report, even after their father's passing.

In November 2015, during a press briefing at Arua State Lodge in West Nile, Museveni claimed that Mayombo's family had received the report, asserting that his father was still alive at the time. Here is what he said "I believe his family received the report, and I personally discussed it with his father. The cause of his death was a natural problem. If the family agrees, we can publish the report. It's available." However, Mayombo's death report remained mysterious after sixteen years. His family, particularly his younger brother, Maj. Okwir became a prominent source of leaks within the regime. As more prominent army officers passed away, suspicions of foul play grew stronger.

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Allaah gives the best to those who leave the choice to Him."And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things." (6:17)

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