The State Minister of Finance, Henry Musasizi, has commended the family of the late Apollo Nyegamehe, alias Aponye, for successfully maintaining his business empire one year after his tragic death.
Minister Musasizi made these remarks today at the memorial service for the late Aponye at St. Luke Muhanga Catholic Parish Church in Muhanga Town Council, Rukiga District. The ceremony was presided over by Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of the Kabale Diocese.
Nyegamehe, who also served as the Rukiga District NRM Chairperson, passed away on July 1, 2023, in a car crash at Itojo, along the Ntungamo-Mbarara road.
Minister Musasizi expressed gratitude to the family, shareholders, board of governors, and staff for their dedication in preserving the business.
“We thank the late Aponye for his contributions to the national economy, and we appreciate his family for continuing his legacy one year after his passing,” said Minister Musasizi.
Minister Musasizi also acknowledged the late Nyegamehe’s strong support for the NRM Party and President Museveni.
“He played a crucial role in mobilizing support for the NRM and President Museveni. His efforts yielded significant results in Rukiga District and the country as a whole,” Musasizi noted.
According to Ben Tukwasiibwe, Head of Communications at Aponye Ug. Ltd, the company directly employs up to 500 people, with approximately 1.5 million Ugandans depending on its operations both directly and indirectly.
“We have a robust leadership structure at Aponye Ug. Ltd, led by Managing Director Harold Byamugisha. This includes the Board of Directors, shareholders, and other staff ensuring continuity despite the loss of our founder,” Tukwasiibwe affirmed.
Vangilista Mugabiirwe Nyegamehe, the deceased’s widow, highlighted that they have upheld her husband’s legacy through regular evaluation meetings, technical support from former business partners, loyalty from suppliers, and the dedication of hundreds of workers.
Ms. Mugabirwe thanked the employees for remaining steadfast following her husband’s passing.
In his homily, the Kabale Diocese Vicar General, Msgr. John Vianney Sunday, urged the late Nyegamehe’s family to continue his legacy of supporting the church financially and maintaining unwavering faith in God.
“All that late Nyegamehe did for the Church stemmed from his steadfast faith in God,” Vianney emphasized.
It was disclosed yesterday that late Nyegamehe had contributed Ugandan Shillings 1.45 billion towards the construction of St. Luke Muhanga Catholic Parish Church before his untimely demise in July 2023. Additionally, the family plans to donate Ugandan Shillings 1 billion to fulfill his pledge of Ugandan Shillings 1.55 billion to complete the beautification of the parish church, located a short distance from his residence in Muhanga Town Council.
