The people of West Nile are mourning the death of Brigadier General Ali Nasur Ezaga, a former commander of the Uganda National Rescue Front II (UNRF II), who passed away on Thursday in Kampala after a long illness, family members confirmed.
‘My father started battling this sickness in 2004. Of late, his condition worsened, affecting his eyesight and causing leg wounds that hindered his movement,’ said Ali Mansur Eyotre, the son of the deceased.
‘He also suffered a stroke and was treated for about six months at Victoria Hospital,’ he added.
Brig Gen Ezaga, 81, was born in 1943 and joined the army at 18. He became one of the most influential figures in northern Uganda’s armed struggles during the 1990s and early 2000s.
As a top commander under the late Gen Ali Bamuze, Ezaga played a central role in negotiating with the government, culminating in a 2002 peace agreement. Following the accord, he was integrated into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), serving in various capacities before retiring.
Locals in Yumbe described him as a humble elder who remained closely connected to his community.
‘Gen Ezaga has been a peaceful and disciplined person. He was a symbol of reconciliation and a bridge between former fighters and the government. His death is a big loss to the people of Yumbe and West Nile,’ said Yassin Ari, a local elder.
Yumbe district chairperson Abdulmutalib Asiku called Brig Gen Ezaga a hero of the region, part of the UNRF II team that helped bring peace to the area.
‘In May 2025, we celebrated 23 years of relative peace in West Nile, thanks in large part to the contributions of these leaders,’ Asiku said. He appealed to the government to fulfill promises made to the families of fallen commanders, including building housing and improving schools, health facilities, and the resettlement of ex-combatants.
The district has lost most of its senior UNRF II officers, he said, leaving a leadership gap that should be filled by promoting remaining senior UPDF officers.
Brig Gen Ezaga’s body is currently in Bombo, with the UPDF arranging for a dignified burial at his ancestral home in Yumbe. The ceremony is tentatively scheduled for next Friday (November 14), with military and local leaders expected to attend.
Eyootre, the son of the deceased, explained that the funeral has been delayed due to a UPDF cadet officers’ pass-out exercise that took place yesterday.
‘People who are responsible for the arrangement of the funeral were engaged in that function, coupled with the weekend. We expect the concerned officers to begin the funeral arrangements from Monday up to Wednesday because many departments are involved in this process,’ he said.
He added that the family has been given ample time to prepare, and that following a standard procedure is customary when organizing funerals for fallen combatants.