Major General Isaac Lumago, the former army Chief of Staff during the Iddi Amin regime, is dead. Lumago, 73, who has been Presidential Advisor on security in West Nile, died on Tuesday night at Arua Referral Hospital after a short illness.
According to his son, Robert Yeka, Lumago was rushed to Arua after falling sick at his home in Koboko. Doctors suggested that he succumbed to high blood pressure.
Earlier he was rushed to a clinic in Koboko town before being referred to Arua hospital. According to Yeka, Lumago was put under intensive care and was supposed to be flown to Entebbe but doctors advised that the condition could not allow him to travel.
The 409 Brigade Commander, Lt. Col. Bernard Tuhame said the UPDF wanted Lumago flown to Kampala for treatment but doctors advised them to hold on for at least two days as his condition was still critical.
The Woman MP for Koboko, Margaret Babadiri, said Lumago was instrumental in ensuring peace and security in the district. She said Lumago retired as a dignified person because he fought for the sovereignty of the country.
The government has tentatively set Saturday as the burial day at Godia village in Midia Sub-county in Koboko district.
Lumago was appointed a presidential advisor on security for west Nile late last year.
Born in 1939 in Koboko, Lumago joined the army in 1963 before doing a cadet training course in Khartoum, Sudan. In 1971, the then President Idi Amin Dada promoted Lumago from Lieutenant to Major General and appointed him Chief of Staff. Maj. Gen. Lumago also served as minister of Industry and power before being appointed ambassador to South Africa.
Retired Major General Yusuf Gowon, his close friend and successor as Chief of Staff shortly before the overthrow of the Amin regime in 1979, described him as a determined military man.
After Amin’s ouster, Lumago ran into exile in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he stayed till 1999. He played a key role in pacifying the region. As a way of recognizing his achievements in promoting peace and security, the government constructed for him a house, just like that of former Vice President, Mustafa Adrisi.
He leaves behind three wives and about 30 children.
