By Jamillah Kemigisa
Kampala, Uganda – Uganda is mourning the passing of Hon. Major John Kazoora, a respected politician, decorated soldier, and renowned author, whose life was marked by a profound commitment to democratic governance, national service, and principled leadership. He passed away on [date], leaving behind a legacy that spans decades of political activism and public service.
Major Kazoora was widely recognized for his bold and uncompromising stance on issues of accountability and constitutionalism. He was the author of Betrayed By My Leader, a groundbreaking political memoir that remains a critical resource in understanding Uganda’s political landscape and the gradual erosion of democratic norms under the current administration.
Born in Mbarara District, Kazoora’s early path to national service began in the military. In the early 1980s, he joined the National Resistance Army (NRA), the rebel movement that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power. Rising through the ranks to become a Major, he earned a reputation as a trusted and disciplined officer in the formative years of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
After retiring from active military service, Kazoora pursued higher education at Makerere University, where he earned a degree in Political Science. This academic foundation, coupled with his military background, shaped his approach to leadership—grounded in discipline, integrity, and strategic insight.
From 1996 to 2006, Major Kazoora represented Kashari County in Mbarara District in Uganda’s Sixth and Seventh Parliaments. A passionate debater and principled legislator, he distinguished himself through his firm defense of the rule of law and his commitment to democratic ideals.
Disillusioned by the NRM’s increasing authoritarianism and the dismantling of constitutional safeguards, Kazoora became a key figure in the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), a reformist bloc that later evolved into the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)—Uganda’s leading opposition party. Within FDC, he served as Secretary for Defense, Security, and Internal Affairs, playing a vital role in shaping the party’s strategy on national security and democratic governance.
His memoir, Betrayed By My Leader, offered an unflinching account of the internal resistance to constitutional amendments that removed presidential term limits. Through personal testimony and political analysis, the book laid bare the inner workings of power in Uganda and chronicled Kazoora’s painful break with President Museveni—a man he once considered a mentor and comrade.
Major Kazoora will be remembered as a principled reformist, a courageous critic of authoritarianism, and a patriot who dedicated his life to a better Uganda. His contributions to the struggle for multiparty democracy have inspired generations of Ugandans committed to justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
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