Nobel Mayombo
Encyclopedia
Brigadier Nobel Mayombo, sometimes spelled as Noble Mayombo, (1965–2007), was a Uganda
n soldier
, and Member of Parliament (MP).
in 1965. He belonged to the Babiito Royal Clan in the Kingdom of Toro, one of the four constitutional monarchies in modern-day Uganda.
His father, Canon James Rwabwoni, born in 1926, was still alive in 2007. He died in a South Africa
n hospital on 25 December 2009. Mayombo was the seventh (7th) out of twelve (12) children. Their mother, the late Beatrice Rwaboni Abwooli, died in 1997.
and Ntare High School
in Mbarara
. He was admitted to Makerere University
to study Law. However, in 1985, at the age of 20, he left Makerere to join the National Resistance Army
(NRA), in their guerrilla war against the Obote II
regime (1980–1985) and the military junta
(1985–1986) that ousted him.
After the NRA captured power in 1986, Mayombo returned to the university and finished his law degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Law (LLB). He then obtained the Diploma in Legal Practice (Dip Leg. Pract), that is required to practice law in Uganda, from the Law Development Center
in Kampala
. He also held a Masters degree in law, Master of Laws
, (LLM), specializing in Human Rights
law, from Makerere University.
to be one of the delegates to the Constituent Assembly
that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. At age 29 years, Lieutenant Nobel Mayombo was the youngest member of the Constituent Assembly. He distinguished himself as an avid debater with a solid knowledge of the law and with a sense of humor. Following the ratification of the new constitution, Mayombo was appointed to represent the Ugandan military in the Ugandan Parliament. He resigned that position on 30 January 2006, to take up an appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
He was appointed President Museveni
's ADC
where he displayed an insatiable sense of dedication and loyalty to the Movement system of government. One of the most enduring images was the ADC squatting after noticing that the shoelaces of the president were untied and promptly tying them.
He received rapid promotion through the military ranks, quickly rising through Lieutenant
, Captain, Major
, Lieutenant Colonel
to full Colonel
by 2004. By that time he was the Director of Military Intelligence. As Military Intelligence Director, he gained notoriety, where he was accused torturing
suspected rebels. During the same period, the Ugandan security organs were accused of the creation and maintenance of "safe houses", where arrested suspects were detained incommunicado beyond the 48 hour limit prescribed by law, without any charges being brought in court.
It was under Brig. Noble Mayombo's reign as CMI chief that the People's Redemption Army (PRA) under Rtd Col.DR.Kiiza Besigye was first brought to the light of Ugandans. Besigye was later to deny this and other accusations linking him to Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. It was Brig.Mayombo himself who confronted Besigye over a radio talk show on KFM's Hot Seat programme one evening. This was to reduce Besigye's popularity and maybe even affected his performance in the next presidential elections.
In October 2005, Colonel Nobel Mayombo was promoted to Brigadier
and appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defense. In November 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at the New Vision
, the Uganda government-owned newspaper whose shares also trade on the Uganda Securities Exchange
.
. He was diagnosed with Acute pancreatitis
, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which causes the organ to leak its enzymes into the surrounding tissues and organs, leading the pancreas and surrounding organs to start digesting themselves (autodigestion).
The next day, his condition having worsened, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit
at International Hospital Kampala
. His condition deteriorated further and on Sunday 29 April 2007, comatose, on life-support systems, he was flown to Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi
, Kenya
. Yoweri Museveni
, the Ugandan President, mentor and trusted comrade, gave permission for the presidential Gulfstream IV-SP to be used to fly the Brigadier from Entebbe
to Nairobi. On Tuesday 1 May 2007 at 3.00PM local time, Noble Mayombo died at Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi, due to complications of acute pancreatitis. At the time of his death, he was aged only forty two (42) years.
Tank Unit and (c) Lieutenant Tagaswire Rusoke, a biochemist
in the UPDF. The team concluded their investigation and handed their report to President Museveni in November 2007. As of October 2009, the detailed findings of that probe have never been publicized.
Following a period of public viewing at the Parliament Building in Uganda's capital, Kampala
, the body of Brigadier Nobel Mayombo was taken to Kololo Airstrip for a state funeral attended by Ugandan Cabinet members
, senior members of the Ugandan military
, Diplomats accredited to Uganda and delegations from several countries including: Rwanda
, Kenya
, Southern Sudan
, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
, the East African Community
and South Africa
. He was buried at his ancestral home in Kijura
, Kabarole District
, on Saturday 5 May 2007. He is survived by his father, Canon James Rwaboni, his widow, Mrs. Juliet Mayombo, his older brother, Phillip Winyi, his younger brother Okwir Rwaboni and his six (6) children:
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
, and Member of Parliament (MP).
Background
He was born in Kabarole DistrictKabarole District
Kabarole District is a district in Western Uganda. Kabarole District is part of the Kingdom of Toro, one of the traditional monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in modern-day Uganda. The kingdom is coterminus with Toro sub-region...
in 1965. He belonged to the Babiito Royal Clan in the Kingdom of Toro, one of the four constitutional monarchies in modern-day Uganda.
His father, Canon James Rwabwoni, born in 1926, was still alive in 2007. He died in a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n hospital on 25 December 2009. Mayombo was the seventh (7th) out of twelve (12) children. Their mother, the late Beatrice Rwaboni Abwooli, died in 1997.
Education
He attended Nyakasura School in Fort PortalFort Portal
Fort Portal is a town in Western Uganda. It is the seat of both Kabarole District and Toro Kingdom.-Location:Fort Portal is located approximately by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city, on an all-tarmac two-lane highway...
and Ntare High School
Ntare School
Ntare School is a residential boys' secondary school located in Mbarara, Mbarara District, western Uganda. It was founded in 1956 by a Scottish educator named William Crichton....
in Mbarara
Mbarara
Mbarara is a town in Western Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative and commercial center of Mbarara District and the location of the district headquarters. It is also the largest urban centre in Western Uganda.-Location:...
. He was admitted to Makerere University
Makerere University
Makerere University , Uganda's largest and second-oldest higher institution of learning, , was first established as a technical school in 1922. In 1963 it became the University of East Africa, offering courses leading to general degrees from the University of London...
to study Law. However, in 1985, at the age of 20, he left Makerere to join the National Resistance Army
National Resistance Army
The National Resistance Army , the military wing of the National Resistance Movement , was a rebel army that waged a guerrilla war, commonly referred to as the Luwero War or "the war in the bush", against the government of Milton Obote, and later that of Tito Okello.NRA was supported by Muammar...
(NRA), in their guerrilla war against the Obote II
Milton Obote
Apolo Milton Obote , Prime Minister of Uganda from 1962 to 1966 and President of Uganda from 1966 to 1971, then again from 1980 to 1985. He was a Ugandan political leader who led Uganda towards independence from the British colonial administration in 1962.He was overthrown by Idi Amin in 1971, but...
regime (1980–1985) and the military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
(1985–1986) that ousted him.
After the NRA captured power in 1986, Mayombo returned to the university and finished his law degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Law (LLB). He then obtained the Diploma in Legal Practice (Dip Leg. Pract), that is required to practice law in Uganda, from the Law Development Center
Law Development Center
The Law Development Centre , is an educational institution for higher learning that offers various legal courses, ranging from one month to one year.-Overview:...
in Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
. He also held a Masters degree in law, Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
, (LLM), specializing in Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
law, from Makerere University.
Work experience
In 1994, he was appointed by the Ugandan militaryUganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
to be one of the delegates to the Constituent Assembly
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
that drafted the 1995 Ugandan Constitution. At age 29 years, Lieutenant Nobel Mayombo was the youngest member of the Constituent Assembly. He distinguished himself as an avid debater with a solid knowledge of the law and with a sense of humor. Following the ratification of the new constitution, Mayombo was appointed to represent the Ugandan military in the Ugandan Parliament. He resigned that position on 30 January 2006, to take up an appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
He was appointed President Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
's ADC
Aide-de-camp
An aide-de-camp is a personal assistant, secretary, or adjutant to a person of high rank, usually a senior military officer or a head of state...
where he displayed an insatiable sense of dedication and loyalty to the Movement system of government. One of the most enduring images was the ADC squatting after noticing that the shoelaces of the president were untied and promptly tying them.
He received rapid promotion through the military ranks, quickly rising through Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, Captain, Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
to full Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
by 2004. By that time he was the Director of Military Intelligence. As Military Intelligence Director, he gained notoriety, where he was accused torturing
Torture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
suspected rebels. During the same period, the Ugandan security organs were accused of the creation and maintenance of "safe houses", where arrested suspects were detained incommunicado beyond the 48 hour limit prescribed by law, without any charges being brought in court.
It was under Brig. Noble Mayombo's reign as CMI chief that the People's Redemption Army (PRA) under Rtd Col.DR.Kiiza Besigye was first brought to the light of Ugandans. Besigye was later to deny this and other accusations linking him to Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army in Northern Uganda. It was Brig.Mayombo himself who confronted Besigye over a radio talk show on KFM's Hot Seat programme one evening. This was to reduce Besigye's popularity and maybe even affected his performance in the next presidential elections.
In October 2005, Colonel Nobel Mayombo was promoted to Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
and appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defense. In November 2005, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at the New Vision
New Vision
New Vision is one of two main national newspapers in Uganda.-History:It was established in its current form in 1986 by the Ugandan Government. New Vision is broadly sympathetic to the government of President Yoweri Museveni. It was founded in 1955 as the Uganda Argus, a British colonial government...
, the Uganda government-owned newspaper whose shares also trade on the Uganda Securities Exchange
Uganda Securities Exchange
The Uganda Securities Exchange is the principal stock exchange of Uganda. It was founded in June 1997. The USE is operated under the jurisdiction of Uganda's Capital Markets Authority, which in turn reports to the Bank of Uganda, Uganda's central bank.The exchange's doors opened to trading in...
.
The last days
On Thursday 27 April 2007, Brigadier Noble Mayombo felt unwell and was admitted to Kololo Hospital, a small private hospital on Kololo HillKololo
-Location:Kololo is close to the centre of Kampala, bordered by Naguru to the east, Bukoto to the north, Mulago to the northwest, Makerere to the west, Nakasero to the southwest and Kibuli to the south.-Overview:...
. He was diagnosed with Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis or acute pancreatic necrosis is a sudden inflammation of the pancreas. It can have severe complications and high mortality despite treatment...
, a sudden inflammation of the pancreas, which causes the organ to leak its enzymes into the surrounding tissues and organs, leading the pancreas and surrounding organs to start digesting themselves (autodigestion).
The next day, his condition having worsened, he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit
Intensive Care Unit
thumb|220px|ICU roomAn intensive-care unit , critical-care unit , intensive-therapy unit/intensive-treatment unit is a specialized department in a hospital that provides intensive-care medicine...
at International Hospital Kampala
International Hospital Kampala
International Hospital Kampala , is a private, upscale, tertiary care medical facility owned by International Medical Group, the largest provider of private medical services in Uganda. As of July 2009, the hospital has a capacity of eighty beds.-Location:The hospital is located in Namuwongo in...
. His condition deteriorated further and on Sunday 29 April 2007, comatose, on life-support systems, he was flown to Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Museveni
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is a Ugandan politician and statesman. He has been President of Uganda since 26 January 1986.Museveni was involved in the war that deposed Idi Amin Dada, ending his rule in 1979, and in the rebellion that subsequently led to the demise of the Milton Obote regime in 1985...
, the Ugandan President, mentor and trusted comrade, gave permission for the presidential Gulfstream IV-SP to be used to fly the Brigadier from Entebbe
Entebbe
Entebbe is a major town in Central Uganda. Located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, the town was at one time, the seat of government for the Protectorate of Uganda, prior to Independence in 1962...
to Nairobi. On Tuesday 1 May 2007 at 3.00PM local time, Noble Mayombo died at Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi, due to complications of acute pancreatitis. At the time of his death, he was aged only forty two (42) years.
After his Death
The sudden illness and death of Brigadier Mayombo shocked most who learned of the news. Speculation that there might have been foul play involved in his death caused the Ugandan Government to launch an investigation into his sudden death. The three-person team that carried out the investigation included: (a) Dr. Peter Mugenyi, Director of the Joint Clinical Research Center, as the Chairman (b) Colonel James Mugira, Commander, UPDFUganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
Tank Unit and (c) Lieutenant Tagaswire Rusoke, a biochemist
Biochemist
Biochemists are scientists who are trained in biochemistry. Typical biochemists study chemical processes and chemical transformations in living organisms. The prefix of "bio" in "biochemist" can be understood as a fusion of "biological chemist."-Role:...
in the UPDF. The team concluded their investigation and handed their report to President Museveni in November 2007. As of October 2009, the detailed findings of that probe have never been publicized.
Following a period of public viewing at the Parliament Building in Uganda's capital, Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, the body of Brigadier Nobel Mayombo was taken to Kololo Airstrip for a state funeral attended by Ugandan Cabinet members
Cabinet of Uganda
According to the Constitution of Uganda, "there shall be a Cabinet which shall consist of the President, the Vice President and such number of Ministers as may appear to the President to be reasonably necessary for the efficient running of the State."...
, senior members of the Ugandan military
Uganda People's Defence Force
The Uganda Peoples Defence Force , previously the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimates the UPDF has a total strength of 40–45,000, and consists of land forces and an Air Wing.The IISS Military Balance 2007 says there...
, Diplomats accredited to Uganda and delegations from several countries including: Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Southern Sudan
Government of Southern Sudan (2005–2011)
The Government of Southern Sudan, was an autonomous government that administered the ten southern states of Sudan between its formation in July 2005 and independence as the Republic of South Sudan in July 2011. The autonomous government was initially established in Rumbek and later moved to Juba...
, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
, the East African Community
East African Community
The East African Community is an intergovernmental organisation comprising the five east African countries Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Pierre Nkurunziza, the President of the Republic of Burundi, is the current Chairman of the East African Community. The EAC was originally...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. He was buried at his ancestral home in Kijura
Kijura
Kijura is a town in, Kabarole District in Western Uganda. It is one of the municipalities in Kabarole District. The municipalities in the district include:* Fort Portal Municipality* Kijura Municipality-Location:...
, Kabarole District
Kabarole District
Kabarole District is a district in Western Uganda. Kabarole District is part of the Kingdom of Toro, one of the traditional monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in modern-day Uganda. The kingdom is coterminus with Toro sub-region...
, on Saturday 5 May 2007. He is survived by his father, Canon James Rwaboni, his widow, Mrs. Juliet Mayombo, his older brother, Phillip Winyi, his younger brother Okwir Rwaboni and his six (6) children:
- Charlene Komuntale, born in 1991
- Samora Olimi, born in 1992
- Isabelle Byanjeru, born in 1995
- Natalie Kabasweka, born in 2003
- Nicole Kamukyeya, born in 2005
- Kamurasi Nobel Mayombo II, born in 2006.