President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has extended condolences and financial support to the family of the late Aero Angela, the mother of former Uganda People’s Army (UPA) commander Francis Eregu. The President sent a condolence message together with a cash contribution of UGX 10 million, which Dr. Kenneth Omona, the Minister of State for Northern Uganda, delivered to the family at their ancestral home in Ojingai Cell, Arapai Ward, Soroti City West Division.
Aero Angela passed away on January 21, 2026, at the age of 101. Born on June 22, 1924, she lived through more than a century of Uganda’s history, witnessing the colonial era, the struggle for independence, periods of political turbulence, and the country’s gradual journey toward peace and reconciliation. In his message to the family, President Museveni described Aero Angela as a respected matriarch whose long life reflected resilience, unity, and reconciliation.
“I received with sadness the news of the death of my elder sister, Aero Angela. She was the mother of the late Francis Eregu, who once served as a commander in the UPA during the period of armed rebellion in Northern and Eastern Uganda,” the President wrote. On behalf of the Government of Uganda and the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the President conveyed his condolences to the children, relatives, and sympathisers of the deceased.
He also recalled meeting Aero Angela and her family in June 2025, saying the encounter strengthened his belief in reconciliation as a foundation for national unity and progress. “The NRM is committed to building a Uganda free from discrimination based on religion or political affiliation, because unity and reconciliation form the foundation for stability and development,” President Museveni stated.While delivering the message, Dr. Omona urged mourners and residents to reject rebellion, violence, and war, noting that Uganda’s history shows that conflict only causes destruction and delays development. “Rebellion distracts societies, destroys families, and delays development. Uganda has paid a heavy price because of the war. Peace remains the only path that guarantees progress,” Dr. Omona said.
He described Aero Angela as a symbol of endurance and survival who lived through some of the country’s most difficult times, and he encouraged families to emulate her values of unity, forgiveness, and coexistence. The family received the UGX 10 million contribution as a gesture of solidarity and support during their period of mourning.
Local leaders and residents of Ojingai Cell welcomed the President’s support, describing it as a reflection of the government’s continued commitment to reconciliation and community healing. They remembered Aero Angela as a respected elder and moral guide who kept her family united through decades of hardship and change, leaving behind a legacy of strength and dignity.
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