MICHAEL N
Ntungamo District is in mourning following the death of former Kajara Member of Parliament and minister, Kweronda Ruhemba.
Born on October 10, 1948, in Butega II Village, Kagamba Ward, Kagarama Town Council, Ruhemba was the son of the late William Ruhemba. He began his education at Kibatsi Primary School, before joining Muntuyera High School Kitunga for his O-Level and later Mengo High School for his A-Level. He went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics at Makerere University.
After completing his studies, Ruhemba started his professional career at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development. He later ventured into politics and public service, where he built a distinguished career.
Ruhemba served as the Member of Parliament for Kajara from 1996 to 2001. During his tenure, he was appointed State Minister for Education and Sports. Together with Capt. Francis Babu, he championed the introduction of Hydraform brick-laying machines, a project that supported the construction of improved school infrastructure across the region. He also served as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning during his time in Parliament.
Over the years, Ruhemba held several key positions, including serving as a UNLA mobilizer and external facilitator. He contested for the Kajara parliamentary seat in 1987 under the Uganda Patriotic Movement but lost to the late Hon. Kanyomonzi. Following the election, he worked as a teacher in Agacani.
His career also included roles as Chief Executive Officer of insurance companies such as Norwick Insurance, and service in the President’s Office from 1990 to 1994. He was a Constitutional Assembly Representative for Kajara, State Minister for Economic Monitoring, and later served as Uganda’s Ambassador to South Africa. In the 1996–2001 parliamentary term, he lost his seat to Herbert Muntu, brother to Gen. Mugisha Muntu, president of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT).
Tributes have poured in from leaders and family members who described Ruhemba as a dedicated, patriotic, and selfless leader. Former Ntungamo District LC5 Chairperson, John Wycliffe Karazarwe, described him as a close friend with whom they shared development ideas. He praised Ruhemba as a man of integrity who was strongly opposed to corruption and bribery.
Karazarwe noted that Ruhemba will be remembered for his contribution to infrastructure development, including the construction of Kemishengo Primary School, Bushamba Primary School, and Ntungamo Police Headquarters.
Family members also shared memories of his life and character. His brother, Dan Musinguzi Ruhemba, the Mayor of Kagarama Town Council, and Kwenyamba Ruhemba, Chief Administrative Officer of Ibanda District Local Government, described him as a loving, caring, and principled man. Kwenyamba revealed that Ruhemba suffered a stroke in 2013 while in South Africa, where he had gone to play golf. He received treatment at Garden City Hospital in Pretoria for two months before returning to his ancestral home in Butega Village.
Kweronda Ruhemba will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at his ancestral home in Butega II Village, Kagamba Ward, Kagarama Town Council, Kajara Constituency in Ntungamo District.
He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to public service, education, and community development.
