William Byarugaba, the leader of the Elders’ League in opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP) has died, party president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu announces.
Commonly known as Jjaja NUP, Byarugaba formerly a member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been battling cancer for a long time. His party recently facilitated his travel to Boston, U.S for specialized treatment.
“We have woken up to the sad news of the passing of Mzee William Byarugaba commonly known as Jajja NUP, who has been serving as the head of the Elders’ League of National Unity Platform. Mzee Byarugaba has been battling cancer at Boston Medical Center in the USA,” Kyagulanyi announced.
Kyagulanyi described him as a great statesman who has been devoted the latter days of his life to the struggle for freedom and democracy in Uganda.
After parting ways with the NRM on grounds that leaders had deviated from the original values and objectives of the party, the deceased joined Go Forward, a political pressure group led by former Prime Minister, John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, before crossing to NUP.
Byarugaba was from back in the days a regular political commentator on various radio and television stations in the country. He would use these platforms to advocate for better governance, rule of law and service provision.
According to Kyagulanyi, the deceased was “very knowledgeable about our country’s history and the present tragectory.”
“It is very unfortunate that he has passed on without seeing the New Uganda that he always envisioned and preached about,” Kyagulanyi added.
Details regarding the return of his remains and burial arrangements are yet to be communicated.