From Grace To Grass: Major Kakooza Mutale, Once A Feared Political Enforcer, Now Struggling In Old Age

By Amon

Barely two decades ago, Major Roland Kakooza Mutale was one of Uganda’s most feared and discussed political enforcers, having assigned himself the duty of ensuring that nobody diminished President Yoweri Museveni’s hold on power.

Today, the once-untouchable powerbroker is said to have fallen on incredibly hard times, living quietly and struggling in his old age in Nammere, a small village just off Gayaza Road.

His story is one of a dramatic political rise, the exercise of power, controversy, and an apparent fall from grace.

At The Height Of His Power

At the peak of his influence, Kakooza Mutale was virtually a state unto himself.

His notorious Kalangala Action Plan (KAP) paramilitary group allegedly operated with impunity, moving in yellow buses accompanied by a brass band to intimidate, beat, and attack supporters of Dr. Kizza Besigye.

His actions during the 2001 and 2006 elections were so brazen that Parliament, then led by Speaker Edward Ssekandi, established a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged state-orchestrated violence.

The resulting report, pushed by figures such as Winnie Byanyima, reportedly contained disturbing testimonies. However, the report was never debated in Parliament, with accounts suggesting that Speaker Ssekandi shelved it amid fears surrounding its contents.

Mutale reportedly defied parliamentary summons, the Police, and the Inspectorate of Government, boasting that he was only answerable to the President, whom he fondly referred to as “Omwana w’omulaalo” — the herdsman’s son.

The Turning Point That Shattered His Invincible Aura

The turning point that shattered Mutale’s aura of invincibility came when General David Sejusa reportedly intercepted, overpowered, and disarmed his escorts in the full glare of media cameras.

Sejusa publicly interrogated Mutale, demanding to see his State House appointment letter and questioning his legal authority to torture citizens or mediate land wrangles when he was not a judge.

Demystified and stripped of much of his perceived power, Mutale was subsequently evicted from a Bombo Road building owned by businessman Sudhir Ruparelia and reportedly taken away by Sejusa’s men.

The incident marked a dramatic moment in the public perception of a man who had once appeared untouchable.

Political Fortunes Continue To Plummet

Since then, Mutale’s political fortunes have continued to decline.

Desperate to regain favour, he reportedly took his infamous yellow bus to Lira in 2011 to campaign for President Museveni, only to be expelled after his presence allegedly tainted the campaign with KAP’s discredited image.

A later attempt to campaign against FDC’s Salaam Musumba in Kamuli saw him reportedly flushed out of Busoga.

His final bid for political relevance, which involved villagers cleaning a forest in Kalangalo, further appeared to cement his exit from the corridors of power.

Where Is Kakooza Mutale Now?

Recent years have reportedly confirmed his growing isolation and fall from grace.

In a stark reminder of his lost immunity, the military reportedly raided his Luwero farm a few years ago over suspected rebel activities. The humiliating search allegedly yielded nothing, leaving Mutale lamenting what he described as a waste of time and resources.

Today, in 2026, the former journalist is portrayed as a forgotten man.

He is reportedly struggling to meet basic medical bills at small clinics in Mperere, near his Namere home.

Living alone, frightened, and discarded, Mutale is said to be battling the painful realisation that he may have been used and eventually abandoned by the very political establishment he once fiercely defended.

For the opposition supporters who allegedly suffered under his command, his present circumstances may evoke mixed feelings — from anger and resentment to the belief that power is temporary.

A Sobering Reflection On Power

The story of Major Kakooza Mutale offers a sobering reflection on the unpredictable nature of political power.

Once a man whose name reportedly inspired fear among opposition supporters, he now appears to occupy a much quieter place in Uganda’s political landscape.

Whether his present circumstances represent the consequences of political choices, the passage of time, or the abandonment of a former loyalist, his story remains a striking reminder that political fortunes can change dramatically.

From the corridors of power to the quiet surroundings of Namere, the journey of Kakooza Mutale is one that continues to provoke questions about loyalty, accountability, and the price of wielding power.

Disclaimer: This feature is based on an account authored by Amon. Allegations concerning political violence, torture, evictions, military searches, and the subject’s current personal and medical circumstances require independent verification. The publication has not independently established all the claims contained in the original account.

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