Day

BY Ambrose Kweronda
In Rukiga

Samuel Niwandinda, the Vice Chairperson of the Local Council five (LCV) in Rukiga district, has conveyed a message to the family of Apollo Nyegamehe, a billionaire and prominent business tycoon, urging them to preserve the legacy of the late Apollo, also known as Aponye.

During his tenure as a Guest of Honor representing Rukiga district Woman Member of Parliament, Kamusiime Caroline Muhwezi, at the handover and swearing-in ceremony of the Bishop Barham Rukiga Students Association on 08/07/2023 which held at Bishop Barham University College in Rugarama Hill, Northern Division, Kabale municipality, Samuel expressed his sentiments.

Samuel reminisced about the time when he started visiting Apollo Nyegamehe’s offices in Kampala and noticed that many of the employees hailed from Kigezi Region, particularly Rukiga district. He acknowledged the challenges these individuals faced in leaving their homes and families to work in Apollo’s offices, which required significant dedication.

Deeply saddened by the news of Apollo’s passing, Samuel conveyed his shock and emphasized the loss suffered by Rukiga district. He regarded Apollo as a man who had been instrumental in shaping the district into a model for the Kigezi region.

Samuel appealed to the family and relatives of the late Apollo Nyegamehe to uphold his legacy and ensure the continuation of his business endeavors.

Captain Christmas Damson Kivumba, the hopeful Member of Parliament (MP) in 2026-2031 highlighted Apollo Nyegamehe’s pivotal role in Rukiga district. He expressed the collective grief felt by not only his own family but also the entire Rukiga district community and Uganda as a whole. Apollo Nyegamehe was widely respected as an influential figure across various domains.

Captain Christmas explained how Apollo had provided guidance to both the elderly and the youth on generating income from their respective endeavors.

He described Apollo as a brilliant and hard-working individual who possessed an exceptional ability to identify opportunities and resolve crises through dialogue rather than resorting to protests.

Captain Christmas revealed that Apollo Nyegamehe, in addition to his business ventures, held the position of National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson for Rukiga District.

Aponye was an extraordinary figure within the business community, renowned for his distinctive approach to problem-solving through dialogue. He possessed the ability to strategize and identify opportunities that may elude others
Nyegamehe was the owner of several businesses operating under the name Aponye Uganda Limited, with diverse interests in real estate, supermarkets, transit transport, and agriculture.

On Thursday, July 6, 2023, Apollo tragically lost his life in a car accident, instantaneously, when the vehicle he was traveling in collided with a stationary car at along the Ntungamo-Mbarara Road in Itojo. The vehicles involved were registration number UBF 300Z (a Land Cruiser) and UAZ 767D (a Fuso).

Apollo Nyegamehe was en route to attend another funeral in Rukiga district when the tragic accident took place.