President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his young brother Rtd General Caleb Akandwanao alias Salim Saleh got medals catagorised as Katonga, Kabalega star medals respectively during the 42 Terehe Sita anniversary celebrations held at Kakyeka stadium in western Uganda’s City Mbarara on Monday February 6, 2023.
President Museveni who was the chief guest, was decorated by the chief justice of Uganda Alfonso Winy Dollo. The order of Katonga is the highest military decoration Ugandan honours system. This category is for the extra ordinary heroes.
President Museveni becomes the third person to get this medal after late Libyan president Col. Muammar El Gadaffi who was awarded for his contribution towards the 1980s NRA liberation bush war and the late Tanzania president Mwalim Julius Nyerere in July 2007 for his efforts towards liberating Uganda and Africa from the dictatorship of former president Iddi Amin and Colonialism respectively.
During the same event, Gen. Caleb Akadwanaho(Salim Saleh) (born 14 January 1960) was awarded with Kabalega Medal for his contribution towards liberation and development of the country. He is a brother to the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni Tibuhaburwa, as well as an adviser on military matters.
He served as Minister of State for microfinance from 2006 to 2008. Saleh has featured in controversies regarding corruption, including being implicated by the UN Security Council for plundering natural resources in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 1976, aged 16, he left Kako Secondary School in Masaka to join the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA), a Tanzania-based rebel group formed and led by his brother Yoweri Museveni to fight against the regime of Idi Amin. Together with his friend Fred Rwigyema and his brother Museveni, he trained in Mozambique with Samora Machel’s FRELIMO rebels. It was there that he adopted Salim Saleh as his nom de guerre. In 1978, FRONASA merged with other anti-Amin groups in Tanzania and formed the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA), who together with Tanzanian armed forces captured Kampala in April 1979 – sending Idi Amin into exile. Saleh was later made a platoon commander of a UNLA unit in Moroto District. Following the bitterly contested December 1980 elections, Museveni declared an armed rebellion against the UNLA and the government of Milton Obote.
Salim Saleh joined his brother’s National Resistance Army (NRA) and the guerilla war known as “the bush war”, that would last until 1986. In January 1986, Salim Saleh commanded NRA’s assault on Kampala, which eventually led to the demise of Tito Okello’s regime, with Museveni becoming President. NRA became the national army, with Salim Saleh as a commanding officer, General Elly Tumwine as the Army Commander, and Museveni as the Commander-in-chief.
Saleh proceeded to command an army division against rebel groups that were remnants of the UNLA, including Uganda People’s Democratic Army (UPDA), in northern parts of the country. He was instrumental in working out a peace deal with the UPDA.
Saleh succeeded Elly Tumwine as Army Commander in 1987, and held the post until 1989 when, following accusations of corruption, he was sacked from the army by his brother. He later became the senior presidential advisor on defence and security (1996–1998), and the commander of the army’s Reserve Force (1990–2001), involved in resettling army veterans of the bush war.
Saleh recalled RPF leaders to Uganda, over the death of the leader of the RPF Fred Rwigyema He arrested Peter Bayingana, who had taken de facto command of the RPF, and Chris Bunyenyezi. Both were executed.
Gen. Ivan Koretta and Bosco Omule were also awarded with Kabalega medals
Chef Ali during the battle of Kampala in 1986, commanded the 11th Battalion, NRA which was key in capturing parts of Kampala fighting their way through Nakulabye, Makerere, Nakasero, Kampala Golf course and finally Kololo Summit. Eriya Mwine aka Chefe Ali the former Chief of Staff UPDF with his recruite, Emmanuel Gisa, the man many would come to know as Fred Rwigyema and other 26 people were awarded with Luweero Triangle medals.
Whereas, four UPDF officers were awarded Damu medals and at least 30 UPDF, Police and Prisons officers were awarded with Diamond Jubilee medals
