Retired Major General Yusuf Gowan, the former Army Chief of Staff during the Idi Amin regime, has passed away at the age of 85 at Arua Regional Referral Hospital on February 2. According to Sheikh Abdumutalib Kiiza, a close relative, Gowan succumbed to heart failure after battling illness since early last year, including bouts of malaria.
Kiiza mentioned, “Mzee Gowan had been a bit sick. He has been down since early last year. Lately, he suffered bouts of malaria. He has been in and out of the hospital till he developed heart failure of late.”
On February 1, Gowan was admitted to Arua Regional Referral Hospital, where his health further deteriorated. Richard Andama Ferua, the former LC5 chairman of the then greater Arua District, praised Gowan as a disciplined former army officer who played a vital role in establishing peace in the West Nile region.
“He was a disciplined, visionary, and organized former army officer, one of the people to secure our peace here in West Nile region,” Ferua said.
He highlighted Gowan’s role in mobilizing combatants for meetings and noted that Gowan’s absence would be deeply felt, considering his efforts in coordinating ex-combatants to appreciate peace and stability in West Nile.Retired Major General Gowan was instrumental in unifying conflicting factions within the army, particularly between Kakwa and Aringa soldiers.
Ferua stated, “Especially in the sectors of Former Uganda National Army-FUNA and Uganda National Rescue Front-UNRF 1, he was one of the people who worked tirelessly to bring these splinter groups together.”
Gowan served the Idi Amin regime from 1972 to 1979, fleeing to exile in Bunia, DR Congo, in 1979. However, he returned to Uganda shortly afterward to lead a civilian life until his demise. A resident of Abia Cell, Pangisa Ward, Arua Central Division, Arua city, Gowan, from the Mijale clan in Lodonga sub county, Yumbe District, will be laid to rest at the Muslim Cemetery in Arua city on Saturday.
