By Lake Zone Watch Writer
One of Tanzania former eminent army commanders since the era of British rule, General David Bugozi Musuguri, died today aged 104 at Mwanza city where he was undergoing treatment.
Born on January 4, 1920, at the famous village of Butiama in Mara region, General Musuguri enrolled with the colonial army, the King’s African Rifles (KAR), in 1942 until his retirement in 1988 as the Chief of the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF).
Butiama village, where Gen. Musuguri grew up is the birth place of Tanzania’s founder president, Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
Gen. Musuguri, who actively participated in the Second World War (1939-1945), is credited for leading the Tanzanian army in the 1978-1979 war against former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin Dada.
The ex-Ugandan ruthless ruler, who died in exile in Saudi Arabia after his regime was toppled in April 1979, was a former a student of Gen. Musuguri.
The fallen Tanzanian military hero was the third Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) following the reorganisation of the Tanzanian army in 1964. He was preceded by General Mirisho Sam Hagai Sarakikya and General Abdallah Twalipo.
Meanwhile, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has send a condolence message to Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Jacob John Mkunda, retired army commanders, soldiers, friends, relatives and all Tanzanians on the demise of Gen. Musuguri.
“We thank the Almighty God for the gift of the 104-year-old life of Gen. Musuguri. His 46-year service to the nation was marked by competence, devotion, heroism and discipline in adhering to his oath that he was ready to die for his country,” the president said, adding that “He has left a good example of a good servant which should continue to shine inside and beyond our defence forces.”