The Muslim and business community in Kampala is reeling in grief following the death of popular businessman Hajji Musa Katongole that occurred on Tuesday morning.
The former chairman of the Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association(UTODA) was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of TMR International Hospital in Naalya with a heart disease which he has been grappling with for close to a decade.
However, while at TMR, the doctors also diagnosed him with COVID-19 and advised that Mr Katongole should be given privacy.
Katongole, two weeks ago travelled to Dubai on a business trip but after he returned, he started developing illness with all signs pointing to COVID-19.
He first received treatment from home but was later taken to Kibuli Hospital.
At Kibuli, the doctors advised that Katongole should be transferred to a better facility and the family opted for TMR hospital.
He was taken into ICU and put on life support machine to support his breathing. For two weeks he was on oxygen until he breathed his last on Tuesday morning.
Prominent moslems have mourned the deceased saying he was a pillar to the development of Islam in Uganda.
Katongole was the head of Uganda Taxi Operators and Drivers Association (UTODA) which for long held sway in the city’s taxi business.
Starting in 1986, UTODA had the powers to run the taxi parks in Kampala and this entailed law enforcement and traffic warden duties – both facilitated by police training – plus a mediating role between police and drivers.
However in 2012, the then Kampala City Council had a change of heart and refused to renew UTODA’s contract for the management of the taxi parks in a move aimed at seeing the body take control of the public transport sector and its revenues.
A rival taxi drivers’ association emerged and this saw a conflict break out between the new group and UTODA.
In 2015, KCCA finally took over management of the taxi transport business and this marked the end of UTODA.
Since then, Katongole had returned to his private business but he commanded a lot of respect from the Muslim community and Buganda Kingdom.