The late FRONASA and Elgon 13 supporter and funder, Mzee Joseph Kutosi, will be laid to rest on Wednesday in his ancestral village of Bumwalye, Bududa District.
The Bamasaaba, both within Uganda and in the diaspora, have commended the late Kutosi for being a strong pillar of unity, education, and development in Bugisu. The Umukuka of the Bamasaaba people, His Highness Jude Mike Mudoma, said Masaabaland has lost an icon and a pillar of peace.
“I worked with him closely under Elgon 13 when we were mobilizing the region for the current government. He has left a great void in Bududa and Masaabaland,” he said.
Mzee Dominic Wetangula, father of the current Speaker of the Kenyan National Assembly, said, “Mzee Joseph Kutosi was my age mate — I am just about a year older than him. We are both Catholics. He was a strong pillar in the cultural institution of the Bamasaaba. I am at a loss for words.”
Mr. Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of the Bamasaaba cultural institution, also eulogized the late Joseph Kutosi. “Kuka Joseph Kutosi played a significant role in mentoring our family, especially our father, Mzee Timothy Natseli of Bukalasi. Whenever there was a problem that seemed impossible to solve, Kuka Joseph would step in. I recall with nostalgia his milling machines back then — they were the only ones in southern Bugisu in the late ’80s when we were growing up. People would spend the night waiting to have their maize milled.
However, anyone from Bukalasi who mentioned that the maize belonged to Timothy Natseli, his nephew, would be attended to quickly. Even people who were not our relatives relied on our family name as a kind of password for quicker service.
In recent years, he was plagued by poor health and unfortunately did not live to bury the relatives he had mentored, such as my father Timothy Natseli and Jane Shilela, which was deeply distressing for all of us. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Hon. Justine Khainza, an aspiring Member of Parliament for Bududa District and former Woman MP, also paid tribute:
“Mzee Joseph Kutosi was my mentor and one of my voters in the previous elections. I recall how he mobilized the entire Buluchecke Sub-county for me. I will rely on the networks he helped build for me even in the upcoming 2026 elections, where I have been asked by my people to stand again after experiencing the poor leadership of the current Woman MP. I am coming back — my people have cried and suffered a lot.”
Writing from London, Mr. Michael Materesi stated:
“As members of the Shilukhu clan, and specifically the Bikala family from Bumwalye, Buluchecke, we are saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our uncle, Joseph Kutosi. He was a father figure to many of us who were born and raised in the same place. His business not only supported his family but also the wider community. This is a truly sad day for many. While he may no longer be with us physically, his spirit lives on in us.”
Mr. Mukhwana Oxley Edward, the Headmaster of Buluchecke SSS, described the late Joseph Kutosi Wangare as someone who valued and promoted education in the region.
“Our records show he has been a parent of this school since its inception.”
Former RDC Kasese, Victor Wanyoto, also noted that he worked closely with Kutosi during mobilization efforts against negative forces in the region.
