Major (Rtd) John Kazoora, a former senior officer in Uganda’s National Resistance Army (NRA) and an outspoken critic of the government that emerged from it, has died aged 67.
His death, which occurred on Easter Sunday, was confirmed by family members and close associates. Opposition activist Ronald Muhinda was among the first to share the news on social media.
“Betrayed by his leader, now called home by his Creator,” Mr Muhinda wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Maj. John Kazoora has signed out… Go well, sleep well.”
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Kazoora, who came from western Uganda, was part of the guerrilla movement that waged a five-year war against the government of Milton Obote and later Tito Okello. That war, led by current President Yoweri Museveni, ended in 1986 with the NRA’s capture of Kampala.
A university student turned rebel, Kazoora rose through the ranks and later served in military intelligence as Director of Political Affairs. He also represented Kashari County in Parliament under the no-party “Movement” system.
However, Kazoora would become one of the most vocal critics of the direction Uganda took after the revolution. In his widely cited memoir, Betrayed by My Leader, he accused President Museveni and others of abandoning the principles of democracy, justice, and rule of law that had motivated many to take up arms.
“We fought for a Uganda where every citizen would be equal before the law,” he wrote. “But what we built turned into a pyramid of fear.”
Kazoora eventually joined the opposition, aligning with Dr Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), where he remained a senior figure for many years.
He was known not just for his critique of government, but also for his self-reflection. In his writing, he acknowledged the moral complexities of war and the difficult decisions taken during the struggle. His disillusionment with Uganda’s post-war governance resonated with many of his generation.
Even after leaving public office, Kazoora remained an active voice in national debates, often warning of the dangers of shrinking democratic space and increasing concentration of power.
He leaves behind a family and a generation of Ugandans still grappling with the legacy of a revolution that, in his view, lost its way.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be communicated by the family in the coming days.
 John Kazoora, a decorated NRA veteran and vocal critic of Museveni’s government, has passed away. Here's a look at his legacy and final days.){kind=link}