It’s a tough time in the West Nile region as they mourn the loss of a well-known businessman, Twaha Agarile, who passed away on Friday at Medipol Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. He had been battling health issues for quite a while.
Twaha, in his 40s, was the brains behind Nile Star Bus Company, a real game-changer on the Yumbe-Arua-Kampala route. His buses stepped up when Gaagaa Bus Company bowed out, making life easier for folks in the region.
Medina Naham Ojale, the finance and admin bigwig at the ruling NRM party secretariat, praised Twaha as a “visionary businessman” who shook up the business scene in West Nile. She said, “His go-getter attitude, dedication, and hard work have left a lasting mark on the region. His fresh ideas and rock-solid commitment to doing things right have been a real inspiration.”
Locals who knew Twaha remember him not just for his business acumen but for being a good soul. He was kind, generous, and always ready to lend a hand. Word has it; he was taking care of over 50 orphans and many others in need.
Twaha had been fighting abdominal complications for about a year, and sadly, he lost the battle. Rasheed Oshino, a councillor in Arua central division, shared, “We’ve lost a fighter, an achiever, and an idea guy. We entrust our brother Twaha to the Lord. May God forgive his sins and welcome him to paradise.”
Before starting his own bus company, Twaha managed White Coaches, Bakulu Coaches, and water transport during the regional conflicts that led to South Sudanese refugees pouring into Uganda from 2013. Seeing an opportunity in the chaos, he dove into the bus business when Gaaga Bus services were on the verge of collapse.
His company, Nile Star, offered top-notch customer service, attracting more travelers, especially with its route to South Sudan’s capital, Juba. Unfortunately, they faced challenges like high taxes and management issues.
With Twaha’s passing, Nile Star Bus Company is taking a break until Sunday. The man who made a mark in business will be laid to rest on Saturday in his ancestral village, Eradiru, Rigbo Sub-county, Madi-Okollo District. It’s a farewell to a West Nile entrepreneur who left his mark on the road and in the hearts of those he touched.
