Shaban Bantariza (1963 – 27 October 2020) was a

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

in the

Uganda People's Defense Force The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), previously known as the National Resistance Army, is the armed forces of Uganda. From 2007 to 2011, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated the UPDF had a total strength of 40,000–4 ...

(UPDF). He served as the deputy director of the Uganda Media Centre and deputy government spokesperson, from June 2015.

Background and education

Bantariza was born in

Mitooma District itooma District is a district in Western Uganda. It is named after its main municipal, administrative and commercial center, Mitooma. Location Mitooma District is bordered by Bushenyi District to the north, Sheema District to the east, Ntungamo D ...

in Uganda's Western Region, circa 1963. He attended St. Leo's College, Kyegobe, in

Fort Portal Fort Portal formerly Kabarole () is a city located in the Western Region, Uganda, Western Region of Uganda. It is the seat of both Kabarole District and historically of the Tooro Kingdom. Etymology Fort Portal was named after British Diplomac ...

Kabarole District Kabarole District is a Districts of Uganda, district in Western Region, Uganda, Western Uganda. Kabarole District is part of the Tooro Kingdom. Its main town was Fort Portal before 1 July 2020 when it was elevated to a city, separating it from Ka ...

for his O-Level studies. He then joined the Catholic brotherhood, where he trained as an elementary school teacher. While pursuing a course at

Makerere University Makerere University (; Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922, and the oldest currently active university in East Africa. It became an independent national university in ...

in 1985, he abandoned his studies and joined the

National Resistance Army The National Resistance Army (NRA) was a guerilla army and the military wing of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) that fought in the Ugandan Bush War against the government of Milton Obote, and later the government of Tito Okello. NRA wa ...

, led by

Yoweri Museveni Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa (born 15 September 1944) is a Ugandan politician and Officer (armed forces), military officer who is the ninth and current president of Uganda since 1986. As of 2025, he is the third-List of current state lead ...

. He attended guerrilla bootcamp in the Kabarore area, in foothills of the

Rwenzori Mountains The Rwenzori (also known as the Ruwenzori, Rwenzururu or Rwenjura) are a range of mountains in eastern equatorial Africa, located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The highest peak of the Ruwenzori reaches ...

. He also attended and graduated from the

Uganda Senior Command and Staff College The Uganda Senior Command and Staff College (USCSC) is a training facility for senior commanders in the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF), including the army, air force, and special forces. Location The facility is located in Kimaka, a su ...

, having studied the senior command course offered annually at the college.

Career

Bantariza served as the UPDF spokesperson from 2000 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2006. For a period of time, prior to February 2009, Bantariza, at the rank of lieutenant colonel, served as the commander of the Oliver Tambo Leadership School, in

Kaweweta Kaweweta is a settlement in Nakaseke District of the Central Region of Uganda. Location Kaweweta is located in Ngoma sub-county, Nakaseke District, approximately northwest of Luweero, in Luweero District, the nearest large town. This is northea ...

Nakaseke District Nakaseke District is a Districts of Uganda, district in Central Region, Uganda, Central Uganda. It is named after Nakaseke, the largest town in the district. However, the district headquarters are located at Butalangu. Location Nakaseke District ...

, in Uganda's Central Region. On 26 February 2009, he was appointed commandant of the National Leadership Institute (NALI), in

Kyankwanzi Kyankwanzi is a District in Buganda Region of Uganda. It is one of the major political and economic centres of Kyankwanzi District and the district headquarters are located in Butemba Town Council. Location Kyankwanzi Town in Kyankwanzi Distric ...

Kyankwanzi District Kyankwanzi District is the westernmost district in the Central Region of Uganda and Buganda Kingdom, bordering Bunyoro. The district headquarters are in Butemba Town. Geography The Kyankwanzi District borders Nakaseke District to the east acro ...

. He served in that capacity until he was relieved of his duties on 7 October 2011. In June 2013, he was appointed Deputy Executive Director of the National Media Centre. On 2 July 2013, at the rank of

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

, he was arrested, charged with embezzlement and remanded to Makindye Military prison by the General Court Martial on charges of alleged fraud. After proceedings that lasted nearly three years, the Court Martial, chaired by Major General

Levi Karuhanga Levi Karuhanga (24 February 1956 – 21 April 2016) was a major general in Uganda. He was the Chairman of the UPDF General Court Martial, one of the highest military courts in the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF). He was appointed to that ...

, acquitted Colonel Bantariza due to lack of evidence against him, on 14 April 2015. On 24 June 2015, following his acquittal by the general court martial, he resumed work at the Uganda Media Centre, the president of Uganda having directed in writing that Bantariza resumes work.

Retirement from the UPDF

On 28 September 2015, Bantariza retired from the UPDF. He continued to serve as the deputy government spokesperson until his death on 27 October 2020.

Death

He died on 27 October 2020, at

Mulago National Referral Hospital Mulago National Specialised Hospital, also known as Mulago National Referral Hospital, is a component of Mulago Hospital Complex, the teaching facility of Makerere University College of Health Sciences. It is the largest public hospital in Ug ...

, where he had been admitted two days before, complaining of chest discomfort, fatigue and cough. Before his death, his samples had tested positive for

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

. He also suffered from

diabetes mellitus Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained hyperglycemia, high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or th ...

and systemic hypertension.

References

External links