Mzee Boniface Byanyima, President Museveni’s adopted father and the former national chairman of the Democratic Party, has passed away aged 94.
The late Boniface Byanyima, a former head teacher at Mbarara High School is father to Oxfam Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.
He passed on at Nakasero Hospital in Kampala where he was recently admitted, just a decade after his wife Gertrude Byanyima succumbed to stroke at Mulago Hospital.
Byanyima, a respected politician who was known for his assertiveness, in 2006 rejected Shs1 million that then State House Comptroller, Dr Richard Muhinda, had brought as condolence allegedly from the President towards the burial expenses of his son, Bernard Muyogoma Byanyima.
In August 2012, Byanyima denied reports that he accepted money from the head of State, and insists he has not forgiven the government for wrongs committed against his family.
From his home in Ruti, Mbarara Municipality, he reacted to media reports that he had reconciled with President Museveni and received Shs4.5 billion from him as compensation from the government for destruction occasioned on his Nyabushozi ranch. “I have never seen the money, I was told about it by others who read it in newspapers,” Mr Byanyima said.
Tortured children
“My children fled the country over mental torture by government agencies on my family, but last year one of them came back and said he was persuaded by government that he would not be harmed and that government would pay the family all the old claims. However, others are still out there and government has never paid my claims,” said Mr Byanyima.
He added: “I have never been bought (read bribed), no government can afford to buy me. [Former president] Obote called me thrice for a ministerial post and I rejected it, he bought off some DP officials but for me I remained stuck to my DP up to today. Amin came but I did not request him for any post and I did not forgive Museveni, not until government restores my ranch.
One of his grandsons, Matthew Kanyamunyu is currently incarcerated in Luzira Maximum prison, accused of murdering social worker Kenneth Akena who was allegedly shot at Game Stores Lugogo last November. Mr Kanyamunyu, reportedly shot Akena after the deceased accidentally knocked his vehicle.
