By Aggrey Baba
The late Tooro Prince David Kiijanangoma developed close personal ties with senior government officials in the final years of his life, with his battle with cancer eventually bringing him into direct contact with President Yoweri Museveni, Brig Gen Henry Isoke has revealed.
Isoke, who represented government at David’s requiem service Thursday at St Luke Church in Ntinda, said his relationship with the prince started through messages the late Kiijanangoma sent him from abroad, particularly concerning integrity and corruption, when he was chosen by the president to fight corruption.
“He used to send me messages from abroad about issues of integrity and corruption,” Isoke said, adding that the Kiijanangoma’s messages convinced him that hewas a person of exceptional integrity.
The relationship later became much closer when the crown prince fell seriously ill.
Isoke said David sought his help to reach Museveni after his health deteriorated, asking him to meet his elder brother, Prince Edward Kiijanangoma, now expected to succeed the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
“David made contact with the President, and he asked me to meet his eldest brother, now our new king, Prince Edward Kijanangoma, to see how we could get in touch with the President so that the President would know that his son was not well,” Isoke said.
According to Isoke, Museveni responded after receiving the message and offered assistance towards David’s treatment.
“As soon as the President received my communication, he was there for some,” Isoke said, adding that the President offered assistance in terms of treatment.
Isoke said Museveni’s intervention was also influenced by his longstanding relationship with the Tooro royal family and the kingdom in general.
“He did this out of respect for the Tooro royal family and out of his long personal friendship with the kingdom,” he said.
But Isoke disclosed that the connection went beyond official assistance, saying David’s illness transformed their relationship into a close personal friendship.
“I developed a close personal relationship with David. I felt that David trusted me, and I also lost a friend,” he said.
He described the deceased prince as a gentleman, cultured with humility and a custodian of Tooro culture, saying David remained concerned about integrity and social issues even as he battled illness.
Isoke further revealed that Museveni continued supporting David’s family after his death to ensure he received a dignified burial befitting his royal status.
“He has made a financial contribution, which has been passed to the family,” Isoke said, ad he conveyed Museveni’s condolences to the royal family and the people of Tooro, while urging the family to remain united and peaceful as the kingdom prepares for a new chapter following Oyo’s death. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
