Benon Biraaro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benon Biraaro
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 1 March 1958 Isingiro District, Uganda Protectorate
|
| Died | 12 February 2020 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Citizenship | Uganda |
| Alma mater | Makerere University (Bachelor of Arts in political science) Cranfield University (Master of Arts in global strategic studies) |
| Occupation | Military Officer |
| Years active | 1982 — 2020 |
| Known for | Presidential candidate for the 2016 Ugandan general election |
| Political party | Farmers Party of Uganda |
Benon Biraaro (born March 1, 1958 – died February 12, 2020) was a Ugandan military officer. He was a very important leader in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). While serving in the military, he led the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College in Jinja. In 2016, he ran for President of Uganda. He was a candidate for the Farmers Party of Uganda, which focused on farming and rural life.
Contents
His Early Life and Education
Benon Biraaro was born on March 1, 1958, in Isingiro District, Uganda. He went to Makerere University in Kampala, which is Uganda's oldest university. In 1982, he earned a degree in political science. Later, he studied at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom. There, he earned a master's degree in Global Strategic Studies.
Military Training
Benon Biraaro had a lot of military training. He took many courses to become a skilled officer. These courses helped him learn how to lead and plan military actions.
Here are some of the courses he completed:
- Officer Cadet Course (for new officers)
- Junior Staff College in the United Kingdom
- Junior Command and Staff College in Nigeria
- Senior Command and Staff College in the USA
- Africa Strategic Studies Course in Egypt
- Masters in Global Security Studies at Cranfield University
His Military Career
Benon Biraaro joined the Ugandan Bush War on June 7, 1982. He had just finished his studies at Makerere University. By 1984, he was working as a secretary for the High Command. This was a very important group in the military.
In 1986, he became a close assistant to Yoweri Museveni, who later became Uganda's President. After that, he worked in Kitgum District as a special administrator. He then became a leader at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi.
Later, he led the 97th Battalion in Uganda's Eastern Region. His team helped end a conflict in the Teso sub-region and other areas. After that, he became the leader of the military police in Uganda. He also worked to protect human rights within the government. He then became the director of training for the UPDF. This meant he was in charge of teaching soldiers.
In 1998, he led Ugandan soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He then became the commander of the Infantry Division in Western Uganda. After that, he was promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff of the UPDF. This was the fifth-highest rank in the Ugandan military. He also led the Uganda Senior Command and Staff College twice. Finally, he worked at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There, he helped with peace and security planning.
Later Life and Passing
General Biraaro was married and had children. He was a Christian and built a church in his home village.
He passed away on February 12, 2020, at Kampala Hospital. He was 61 years old. Reports said he died from colon cancer.
See also
- Ivan Koreta
- Aronda Nyakairima
- Isingiro District
