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Omala has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer for several years
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By Our reporter
Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Omala, 64, is battling for his life at Mulago National Referral Hospital after being admitted in critical condition. Omala, the former Kampala North Police Operations Commander, was rushed to the hospital last Wednesday after spending days bedridden at his home in Mutungo, Kampala. His condition deteriorated upon returning from a business trip to Kenya, where he collapsed on the streets of Mombasa.
Long battle with illness
Omala has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer for several years. However, his recent diagnosis of kidney failure came as a shock to his family. His eighth-born son, Dvyn Omala Mutukuvu, recounted how his father’s health worsened while in Kenya.
“My father went to Mombasa on November 1, 2024, but he couldn’t return on November 10, 2024, because he collapsed due to his worsening condition,” Mutukuvu said during an interview at Mulago Hospital.
Admitted to Mulago’s private wing for dialysis, Omala’s family revealed that they were unaware of his kidney complications until the diagnosis was made at Kilifi Hospital in Mombasa.
“We knew he had prostate cancer and was receiving treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute, but the kidney failure diagnosis was unexpected,” Mutukuvu explained.
A father’s farewell
Mutukuvu shared his father’s emotional plea: “He asked us to take care of his children and their mothers, saying his sickness was God’s will and not caused by anyone. He sought forgiveness from Ugandans he wronged during his police service and forgave anyone who wronged him.”
Controversial legacy
Omala became a polarizing figure during the 2011 walk-to-work protests led by Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president. As Kampala North Operations Commander, Omala was often accused of harassing opposition activists. Besigye, who is currently in Luzira Prison facing accusations of conspiring with collaborators in Kenya, Switzerland, and Greece to destabilize Uganda, was among those frequently clashing with Omala.
As Kampala North Operations Commander, Omala was often accused of harassing opposition activists
Pension and financial struggles
Omala’s family disclosed that his pension payments had been halted for the last three months because he failed to verify his status during a recent Ministry of Public Service verification exercise.
“My father’s gratuity was fully paid before his retirement in 2020, but he hasn’t received his pension for three months,” Mutukuvu said, adding that the family has incurred significant expenses on his medical care.
Call for support
The family has reached out to Capt. Mike Mukula, who in turn contacted President Yoweri Museveni for assistance. However, they are still awaiting support.
“We couldn’t afford the cost of dialysis at Mulago Hospital, and we are asking well-wishers to help us,” Mutukuvu appealed.
Current dondition
Mulago Hospital Executive Director Dr. Rosemary Byanyima confirmed that Omala is responding positively to treatment but emphasized the need for rest. “He is showing improvement, but his recovery will require adequate rest and continued medical attention,” Dr. Byanyima stated.
Omala had recently taken on a new role as Deputy CEO of Arrow Security Services, owned by Capt. Mukula, where he was in charge of operations.
The family continues to rally for support as Omala battles to regain his health.
Torch Media Africa
