UMUZUNGUZAI WA NYABUGOGO
Senior Member
- Mar 18, 2026
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Today marks 36 years since Maj. Chris Bunyenyezi and Maj. Peter Baingana, two senior military officers in the National Resistance Army of Uganda, were killed during the early fighting of the Rwanda Patriotic Front’s campaign against the government of President Juvénal Habyarimana
The two officers died on October 23, 1990, in northeastern Rwanda, while the RPF was struggling to maintain its advance after the death of its commander, Major General Fred Rwigyema, earlier that month.
According to the RPF account, they were killed in an ambush while travelling from Gabiro towards Nyagatare to reinforce fighters at the frontline.
Bunyenyezi had commanded an NRA brigade stationed in Mbale, while Baingana, a medical doctor, served as head of the NRA medical services. Both were among the Rwandan-origin officers who left Uganda’s army to participate in the campaign to return to Rwanda.
Their deaths fuelled speculation about divisions within the RPF leadership following Rwigyema’s death. Some accounts alleged that the two majors were killed because of suspicions surrounding Rwigyema’s death. However, the circumstances remain disputed, and historical accounts have not conclusively established that they were executed by their own colleagues.
Their death was a major setback for the RPF during the opening weeks of the war, which continued until the movement took power in Rwanda in July 1994.
The two officers died on October 23, 1990, in northeastern Rwanda, while the RPF was struggling to maintain its advance after the death of its commander, Major General Fred Rwigyema, earlier that month.
According to the RPF account, they were killed in an ambush while travelling from Gabiro towards Nyagatare to reinforce fighters at the frontline.
Bunyenyezi had commanded an NRA brigade stationed in Mbale, while Baingana, a medical doctor, served as head of the NRA medical services. Both were among the Rwandan-origin officers who left Uganda’s army to participate in the campaign to return to Rwanda.
Their deaths fuelled speculation about divisions within the RPF leadership following Rwigyema’s death. Some accounts alleged that the two majors were killed because of suspicions surrounding Rwigyema’s death. However, the circumstances remain disputed, and historical accounts have not conclusively established that they were executed by their own colleagues.
Their death was a major setback for the RPF during the opening weeks of the war, which continued until the movement took power in Rwanda in July 1994.