APONYE’S FUNERAL SERVICE AT ST LUKE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KABALE
UPDATES.
By Libino Byamukama
In Kabale……
Aponye’s body arrives at St Luke catholic church Muhanga parish under kabale diocese in Rukiga District
Aponye died last week in afotal accident at itojo along Mbarara _Kabale on his way to home in Rukiga
Appolo Nyegamehe popularity knowns as Aponye was born on 12ths August 1957 in Muhanga Rukiga District.
His parents were late Mr. Peter Turikyarukye and late Salome Kibatenga.
They were born 16chidren and now Four are surviving Namely George Bazongoza, Nzaniya Tibanyenda, Roy Kashuro and Asiimwe Judith.
Aponye was the last born and never got to see his father who passed on before he was born.
Aponye was married to vangi Mugabirwe Nyegamehe on 11th November 1978 and were blessed with 7children .
He further had another family with the late Monica Kakwezi Nyegamehe and were blessed with 5children.
Aponye stated business at a tender age of 10yrs doing casual jobs and selling roasted G.Nute, peas and Maize in Muhanga to sustain himself having born an orphan.
At the age of 16yrs, he got a job to work for famous businessman kirasha Jonathan who was trading in marchadise with Rwanda Businessmen with duty to carry the goods.
On one of his errands,he met Mr. Kabunzya of Rwamabondo Ntungamo who extended some “working Capital” in appreciation of his hard work and encouraged him to trade alongside his job with Kirasha.
They would carry merchandise on “the head ” from as far as kajara to Rwanda.
He mastered the art of trade especially with the Rwanda Business community and by 1978,he was already independent.
He bought his first G_Touring car to help transport merchandise to the Rwanda boarder and later on the lorry In 1980.
In the 1980’s during the famous “magyendo era he capitalized on the situation and worked tirelessly to grow his business getting coffee from kitagata to Rwanda.
He be-friended so many in the banking sector who helped him grow the business.
He established business in Kampala and stayed at Mengo where he accommodated several other businessmen from kabale and Kigali.
He traded in cement at goods shed clocktower.
In 1989, he formerly registered a limited company “Aponye (U) ltd coined from his name’s “Apolo Nyegamahe” to deal in grain trading. He opened stores at FIBA ( Foods and beverages) industrial area to dry and clean grain.
He opened offices at Nkrumah road and delt in cargo transportation and acquired a fleet of trailers in 1998.
He expanded grain trading to markets like world food programme with the vision to be the largest trading company in grain sector.
He established grain processing plant in Nalukolongo Kampala in 2005, Kyazanga Factory 2010and now Mubende Factory in 2015.
In 2008 he expanded business to trading with south Sudan Government in Juba dealing in food stuffs.
He created several synergies and partnerships with Ugandan companies like Afrokai, Kibungo Enterprises. Though there were setbacks in Juba, his treasured friend Chris Kaijuka will continue to pursue his interest.
Aponye has since become a household Name with several products including Apo Laundry Soap,Kitamu cooking Oil, Ugali Maize Flour, pro _pheneBags , and ApoJust Petro stations.
He also did real estate in Kampala starting with Aponye Hotel,Aponye City Mall, and Now Aponye Complex Ntinda
He established Rukiga shopping center at Muhanga Town