Ntungamo District Local Government have confirmed receipt of Shs300 million from President Yoweri Museveni meant for establishing a technical school in Itojo Sub-county in memory of former First Deputy Prime Minister Eria Kategaya, who died in March 2013.
The district Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Kweyamba Ruhemba, on Tuesday confirmed receipt of the presidential pledge and told PML Dialy on phone that they are now looking for a contractor and land where to build the school.
Kategaya was born in 1945 in Itojo in the then Mbarara District (now in Ntungamo). He attended Kyamate Boys primary school, Mbarara High School and Ntare. He joined Dar es Salaam University where he studied Law, before joining the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) to fight Idi Amin’s rule. He returned to Uganda and was appointed a District Commissioner (DC) for Bushenyi district, during the post-Idi Amin UNLF government.
After the disputed 1980 presidential election, Kategaya joined Museveni, as the National Resistance Movement/Army waged a five-year guerrilla war and captured power on January 26, 1986. He served as Cabinet minister for various dockets and deputy Prime Minister while representing Rwampara constituency in Parliament.
In 2001, Kategaya retired from elective politics. He returned to his cabinet position as an ex-officio of the Seventh Parliament. In 2003, he, alongside cabinet colleagues Bidandi Ssali, Miria Matembe and Sarah Kiyingi, rejected a proposal to lift term limits. He was eventually dropped from cabinet.
Kategaya joined the Opposition FDC party and served as special envoy until he returned to the NRM fold in 2006. By the time of his death, he was first deputy Premier and minister for East African Community (EAC) Affairs.