Ex Army Boss Yusuf Gowan Passes On After Battling From A Heart Disease

Retired Major General Yusuf Gowan, the former Army Chief of Staff during the era of Idi Amin, breathed his last at the age of 85 on February 2 at Arua Regional Referral Hospital. His demise, attributed to heart failure, marked the end of a prolonged battle with illness that included recurring bouts of malaria since the preceding year.

According to Sheikh Abdumutalib Kiiza, a close relative, Gowan’s health had been ailing for quite some time. He endured the challenges of illness, particularly grappling with malaria, and had been in and out of medical facilities until succumbing to heart failure recently.On February 1, Gowan was admitted to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, where his condition worsened.

Richard Andama Ferua, the former LC5 chairman of the then greater Arua District, commended Gowan as a disciplined former army officer who played a crucial role in establishing peace in the West Nile region.Ferua remarked, “He was a disciplined, visionary, and organized former army officer, contributing significantly to securing peace in the West Nile region.” Emphasizing Gowan’s role in rallying combatants for meetings, Ferua expressed that Gowan’s absence would be deeply felt due to his efforts in coordinating ex-combatants for the cause of peace and stability in West Nile.

Retired Major General Gowan played a pivotal role in reconciling conflicting factions within the army, particularly bridging gaps between Kakwa and Aringa soldiers. Ferua highlighted, “Especially in the sectors of Former Uganda National Army-FUNA and Uganda National Rescue Front-UNRF 1, he tirelessly worked to bring these splinter groups together.”Serving under the Idi Amin regime from 1972 to 1979, Gowan sought refuge in Bunia, DR Congo, in 1979. However, he returned to Uganda shortly thereafter, opting for a civilian life until his passing. A resident of Abia Cell, Pangisa Ward, Arua Central Division, Arua city, Gowan, hailing from the Mijale clan in Lodonga sub-county, Yumbe District, will find his final resting place at the Muslim Cemetery in Arua city on Saturday.