Maj Gen Yusuf Gowon, a tough yet soft-spoken army officer who served during President Idi Amin’s regime, has passed away. Maj Gen Gowon, known for his humility, lived a peaceful life after returning from exile in 1994. He succumbed to heart failure at Arua Regional Referral Hospital and was buried at his home in Arua City last Saturday.
Maj Gen Gowon, who served as the army chief of staff, was described by President Museveni as a tough and shrewd officer with whom he had no issues. The President, in a speech delivered during the burial, expressed condolences and mentioned that they had forgiven each other for past events.
President Museveni contributed Shs10 million for funeral arrangements, and the NRM Secretariat provided Shs5 million. The late Maj Gen Yusuf Gowon was acknowledged for his unwavering support to President Amin during challenging times.
Born in 1936, Gen Yusuf Gowon initially worked as a prison warder and later rose through the military ranks. His loyalty and perceived lack of ambition, making him unlikely to overthrow his superiors, contributed to his career progression under President Amin’s regime.
