Today marks eight years since the passing of Brig. Gen. Geoffrey Taban Kyabihende (RO/00094), a decorated military officer whose career spanned Uganda’s most pivotal moments in modern history.
Born in 1961, Kyabihende’s journey into the armed struggle began in 1979 when, at just 18, he joined the Tanzanian-backed liberation forces seeking to overthrow President Idi Amin. Responding to a recruitment drive by rebel factions — including Kikosi Maalum, Save Uganda Movement (SUM), and FRONASA — he underwent a three-week crash military course with Tanzanian instructors in Mbarara.
Following Amin’s ouster, Kyabihende was among 4,000 FRONASA fighters integrated into the newly formed Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) and posted to the 15th Battalion in Kampala, stationed at Bugolobi Barracks — formerly the base of the feared Uganda Army Marines.
In February 1981, Kyabihende, alongside several ex-FRONASA colleagues, deserted to join the Popular Resistance Army (PRA), the precursor to the National Resistance Army (NRA), under the leadership of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. He became part of a seven-man security detail for Museveni, commanded by the late Maj. Gen. Fred Rwigyema, and served alongside prominent figures such as Lt. Gen. Pecos Kutesa and Capt. Marius “Suicide” Katungi.
During the five-year Bush War, Kyabihende fought in several decisive engagements — including the battles of Bukalabi, Singo, Kakiri, Kabamba II, Masindi, and the siege of Masaka. He was wounded in February 1983 during the fierce Bukalabi clash, in which nine guerrillas were killed and Salim Saleh was seriously injured. By the NRA’s final assault on Kampala in 1986, he was serving as a company commander in the 3rd Battalion under Commander Patrick Lumumba.
In the post-war era, Kyabihende rose steadily through the NRA/UPDF ranks. Promoted to Colonel in 1998, he commanded the 3rd Division in Mbale before serving as Deputy Commandant and Chairman of the Court Martial at General Headquarters. In 2004, he joined the pioneer intake of the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College at Kimaka.
At the time of his death in 2017, Brig. Gen. Taban Kyabihende was serving as Uganda’s Defence Attaché and Advisor in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eight years later, his legacy remains that of a committed soldier who dedicated his life to the liberation and defence of Uganda.
