‘A man of character’ family, friends pay tribute to John Kazoora

Maj (rtd) John Kazoora was lauded as “a man of character and a true patriot” during a funeral service at All  Saints’ Cathedral, Nakasero.

Attendees at the service were told Kazoora’s character allowed him not to be swayed from telling the truth to power. From childhood friends, his children, wife and former workmates, Kazoora, who died early this week at the age of 67, was described as a man who feared God more than he feared people.

Kazoora was among the young men who escaped from Makerere University to join the National Resistance Army (NRA/M) bush war that brought President Museveni to power.  He served as special district administrator for Kabale and Kampala. He was also the director for political affairs at the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) during the early years of the NRA/NRM government.

Kazoora served in the 6th and 7th parliaments, representing Kashaari country. He is survived by a wife, Naome Kabasharira, Rushenyi county MP. He has left behind four boys, which popularly referred to as the gang of four.

Rt. Rev. Dr. Hannington Mutebi, who led the service, said Kazoora lived a practical life as a Christian.

“When you hear his story, there is a book that he launched but it disappeared, and he spoke his mind. And that is John,” Bishop Mutebi remarked.

Mutebi was referring to a memoir by Kazoora titled “Betrayed by My Leader” in which he explicitly criticised President Yoweri Museveni for drifting off the tenets and values of the liberation war and opting for personal aggrandisement.

“I’m sure that those who knew John will continue to benefit from having known him. His deeds will continue to encourage and bless us,” he said.

“He chose to speak even when it was not popular to speak, but John would always come and tell you this is the thing…he stood up for the weak. He spoke boldly in the face of justice, and he refused to sit back and watch Uganda slide into fear, silence and contempt. That was John, and we need men and women like John,” he added.

Former deputy inspector general of police, Maj Gen Steven Sabiiti Muzeyi, speaking as a family member and on behalf of the UPDF, hailed the late for having served under the National Resistance Army at the age of 24.

Kazoora joined the NRA in 1982. Sabiiti said Kazoora’s life was marked with what he described as unwavering patriotism.

“We have been told many times that patriotism is the willingness to sacrifice for your country when you expect no reward or no accolades, and these are [NRA] people who were tested really. The time they left, I don’t think they expected ranks, I don’t think they expected triumph or to even survive at the bare minimum,” said Sabiiti.

A man of character

Albert Asiimwe Kazoora said his father was masterful and skilful with words when he spoke.

“He loved us fearlessly. There was nothing that you could tell him that was contrary to what he knew of us and what he saw in us,” said Asiimwe.

“My father was a man of excellence, he was an elegant man, very astute, he was a man of resolve, there was nothing once he made up his mind, he was very unshakable in his belief. He was rooted in his principles. He was very neat, extremely kempt. He would always say you know, cleanliness is next to Godliness. He was a man of character, outstanding character. He would always come and tell, Anorld and Nicholas…character, character, character will get you into rooms that money cannot. Character will elevate you where nothing is able to stand in your way.”

Dalton Akampurira Kazoora, the youngest son of Naome Kabasharira and John Kazoora, sent his eulogy from Canada. It was read by Romeo Kazoora. He said their father laid the foundations for their future.

“While there are many things I could say, this memoir excerpt is one of many great lessons I learnt and I’m still learning from him. Character, and to be more specific, who you are as a person? As we all know, diamonds are made under pressure, so he made me ask myself, what would you stand for what’s right even when all things are against you? When you have the strength to remain true to your obligations and to push through all the barriers set in front of you, no matter how tough it might be,” wrote Akampurira.

According to the children, the late Kazoora taught them how they should treat people and how they should react to how they treat them. He taught them to be patient and humble, but without compromising their courage to go against all odds.

Character shaped by school?

With the passing of Kazoora, his close friend, Hannington Karuhanga revealed that his character might have been shaped by Nyakasura School, where Kazoora went in the mid-seventies before joining Makerere University.

Kazoora was reportedly part of the “Tough Six” group of boys during their days at Nyakasura. Others included the late Gen Benon Biraaro, Hannington Karuhanga, Ben and Edward Tukasingura and Charles Kalira.

Karuhanga told mourners that Nyakasura, having been founded by a Captain of the Navy, was structured like a military school.

“Some of the values that you see are structured around two things. The way you were nurtured and nature,” he said.

He explained that most of the values that reflected Kazoora’s character could have come from his upbringing by his mother, Manjeri and his late father, Enock Kazoora. Kazoora, in interviews, testified that both of his parents were tough in parenting.

His father, who served in the 7th King’s African Rifles and later was a driver in the then Ankole kingdom, was a strict disciplinarian.

“In Manjeri, what you saw is what you got. There was nothing.  So I’m not surprised,” Karuhanga testified.

Kazoora and Hannington Karuhanga were class captains at Nyakasura, helping the school to ensure strict discipline. While he was a leader, Karuhanga remembers that Kazoora was equally stubborn.

It’s said that having been provoked by David Tinyefunza aka David Sejjusa, Kazoora and the late Benon Biraaro once planned to burn the school’s bookstore. Karuhanga said, but the two listened to him and restrained from executing this heinous action.

At Makerere, Kazoora and Karuhanga became student leaders at Northcote and Nkurumah Halls. In 1981, President Milton Obote abolished the Students’ Guild at Makerere University following student protests against the 1980 elections. These protests were fueled by a belief that the elections, which brought Obote to power, were rigged.

It is around this time that Kazoora, Dr Kizza Besigye, and the late Elly Tumwine fled the university to join the war in Luwero.

“The traits that we see today, when I reflect over fifty-one and a half years, were already embedded. I would like to encourage the young people today that the community services that we talk about, how else would John live? The truth, the honesty, the firm. That was embedded,” said Karuhanga.

Kabasharira, has been married to John Kazoora since 2009. She belongs to the ruling NRM party, while he belonged to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and later the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).  She told mourners that the late was quite understanding that even when they did not agree on certain issues, they could not be separated.

“It is a tendency at times in this country, when one belongs to another party, he is regarded as an enemy. I think John and I demystified that.”

Kazoora spent several days under intensive care at hospitals in Uganda, Nairobi and Turkey. Kabasharira said one of the reasons why Kazoora had lived this long is because of the number of friends who made financial contributions to his treatment. He has been battling against diabetes since the time he joined the seventh parliament.

While many believed that Kazoora had parted ways with President Museveni, whom he accused of betrayal, Kabasharira said Museveni never abandoned his war comrade at his deathbed.

“His Excellency the President can never forget those people who fought with him in the bush. When someone is sick, they would come in. When he learned of it, he also sent money,” she revealed.

Kazoora liked playing cards and chess during his free time. The funeral service in Kampala was attended by several dignitaries, including the deputy speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, former chief justice, Bart Katureebe, former minister and chancellor of Makerere University, Prof Mondo Kagonyera, former leader of the opposition, Wafula Oguttu, among others.