With heavy hearts and immense respect, we bid farewell to a gallant senior officer, a patriot, a revolutionary, and above all, a father figure to many — the late Colonel (Rtd) Willy Ndinda.
Col Ndinda served his country with unmatched devotion and embodied the highest ideals of loyalty, discipline, and ideological clarity.
His career was a testimony to consistency and resilience — a man whose words carried wisdom, and whose presence commanded both respect and warmth. He had a rare combination of intellectual depth and an unwavering sense of humour that could disarm any tense moment.
Col Ndinda lived, breathed, and loved Artillery. He spoke about it with great passion, and I am convinced that even in his sleep, he dreamed of guns, calculations, and fire plans. He made Artillery not just a military specialty but a way of life. Through him, many of us came to appreciate its might, its science, and its discipline.
To his juniors, he was not just a commander — he was a mentor, a brother, and a father. He insisted on professionalism, mutual respect, and unity of purpose. Conversations with him were rich, stretching from battlefield experiences to deeper philosophical thoughts on society, politics, and national development. His ideological commitment to the NRM revolution was profound; he articulated its principles with passion and defended its legacy with courage.
As he neared retirement, I remember vividly his words — cautioning the young officers not to squander the gains of the revolution, but rather to preserve, protect, and perfect them. It was during the documentation exercise in Jinja that he spoke with calm satisfaction. He was ready — retiring with his head held high, proud of his service, eager to return to his roots and continue contributing to the nation from his village. His sense of national duty did not end with his uniform; it lived in his dreams, his speech, and his purpose.
We have lost a giant, but his legacy remains etched in our hearts and in the history of our force and country.
Rest well, gallant son of the soil.
You fought the good fight,
You kept the faith,
You finished the race.
