Bushenyi mourns celebrated businessman Obadiah Rushambuza

The penultimate week of October 2024 ended with a meeting of the famous Bagoma clan in Bushenyi District of Western Uganda at the house of their Prime Minister, Mr. Tinka John Bakyaro in Keiskooko village to discuss their survival in the future .

In attendance was the clan head, affectionately known as ‘Ishenkuru abagoma’, which loosely means the grandfather of the Bagoma clan, Mr. Obadia Ntebekeine Rushambuza, who gave a short speech appreciating the gathering and made a series of promises including bringing other clan leaders to the state. House, Kampala to meet President Museveni. Mr Ntebekeine used the same weekend trip to the interior to attend the wedding ceremony of Mr Silagi Bassajabalaba, the son of Bushenyi District Chairman, Mr Jafari Basajjabalaba.

At the party, Mr Ntebekeine, a celebrated businessman, was in a jovial mood and shared joyful moments with his Bushenyi friends and other seniors. He was in the company of his wife, Sheema North MP Naome Kibaaju and it is reported that after the well-enjoyed weekend, Mr Ntebekeine went to accompany his wife to do constituency work in Sheema where he felt unwell and was rushed taken to different hospitals after suffering a stroke.

Hopes for recovery remained high until Saturday evening, when the head of the Bagoma clan was pronounced dead at the Agakhan Hospital in Kenya at the age of 72. He is the son of the late Canon Zabron Rushambuza, who died in October as a prominent businessman, farmer and church leader. 2020.

The news of Mr Ntebekeine’s death sent shock waves through the district, Ankole sub-region and the entire nation. After living a pirate life, Ntebekeine came into the public spotlight when his wife Naome Kibaaju took him to her political venues in Sheema District.
On Saturday morning, the Bagoma clan, hailing from Kyeitembe Ward, Central Division, Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, issued a statement announcing the untimely death of their chief, who succeeded his father Rushambuza in 2020.

“We announce with great sadness the passing of Mr. Obadiah Ntebekaine Rushambuza, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and respected clan leader of the Abagoma clan. His legacy of love, wisdom and strength will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and community,” Abagoma’s statement said.
The Prime Minister of the clan, Mr. Tinka Byakyaro, described Ntebekaine as a person whose light around the clan had just been activated to take it to greater heights.

“Last weekend we gathered and saw a great light before us and he was our torchbearer. We discussed many things surrounding our future as the Bagoma. It’s a shame that the light he brought has disappeared. We are now in total darkness,” Mr Tinka told this publication on Saturday.
The Bagoma Clan Legal Adviser in their National Executive Committee, Mr. Julius Turinawe, said they (bagoma) come together to celebrate the life of a remarkable man, a true pillar of strength and unity.

“Our grandfather was more than just a family member or community leader; he was a symbol of hope, resilience and determination. With his tireless work ethic and unwavering dedication, he inspired countless people to strive for greatness. He was a shining example of what it means to be a hardworking man, who always puts the needs of others before his own,” said Mr Turinawe.

“We don’t want to speculate about his death, but he left Bushenyi in good health. Until he was rushed to Mbarara, Mulago and Kenya. The details will be announced in due course,” Mr Byakyaro said.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, said Rushambuza’s death was difficult to process, heartbreaking and disturbing.

“A few weeks ago I was joking with him about how he seemed to be getting younger. The loss is a heavy blow to the people of Greater Bushenyi and the entire nation. My deepest condolences go out to the hon. Noame Kibaaju, the children, the Rushambuza family, the Abagoma clan, the greater Bushenyi community and the nation as a whole,” Mr Tayebwa praised the leader of the Bagoma clan.

Ntebekaine will be buried on November 6, 2024 at his home in Ntungamo, Nyakabirizi Division, Bushenyi-ishaka Municipality.