The former Kabale mayor Pius Ruhemurana, 76 has passed on.
According to the family, Dr Ruhemurana succumbed to complications of a stroke at around 2am on Wednesday from Rugarama Hospital in Kabale Municipality.
The hospital said he had been battling with stroke for over two years.
The medical doctor, a staunch follower of Opposition stalwart and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye, was a distinguished gynaecologist who ran a private clinic in the municipality and held several leadership positions.
In politics Ruhemurana enjoyed a long career, serving as the mayor of Kabale Municipality for over 20 years on the FDC ticket from 1996 to 2016.
In 2006, he famously defended his mayoral seat by defeating NRM rival George Mbonigaba in a hotly contested race.
However, in 2016, Dr Ruhemurana lost his seat to Emmanuel Byamugisha Sentaro, the current mayor for Kabale Municipality.
Despite his defeat, Dr Ruhemurana remained influential within FDC until the time of death.
He was the chairperson on the FDC delegates structures. He was known for his straightforward speech, even in the presence of the country’s leaders advocating for the betterment of Kabale and its people.
Dr Ruhemurana served as the fifth mayor for Kabale Municipality from 1996 to 2016.
He also served as the FDC chairperson for Kabale Municipality and as the Kabale FDC vice chairperson.
The all-weather person in Dr Ruhemurana embraced both science and God’s ways, serving as head of laity for Kabale Diocese and the chairperson board of trustees of Kabale gold club, among other capacities.
