Battle hardened and Bush war hero Maj.Gen Elly Kayanja has written a book about his experience in the Bush (1981-6) and serving in NRA/UPDF until when he retired.
The 300 page book titled ‘The JOURNEY TO REMEMBER’ highlights all the achievements Gen Kayanja made towards the liberation struggle of Uganda and is set be officially launched on Sunday 23rd November 2025 at Hotel Africana.
Born on 23rd Nov 1959 to nalongo Leocadia Najemba and late Festo Kayanja in Kifamba village Kakuto County Rakai District, Kayanja rose to the ranks from corporal (1981) to maj Gen 2021 due to his hard work , non corruptible and battle hardened on frontline.
He has held different appointments but prominent among them is when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and CIC appointed him Director General of Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and commander of the famous Operation Wembley that got rid of all armed robbers in the country to the extent that whenever armed robbers terrorise any region, Ugandans would call on President Yoweri Museveni to reappoint Gen Kayanja to smash them.
By writing a book ‘The Journey To Remember’, he becomes NRA/UPDF elite to have written about the Bush war among them is Gen. Museveni’s SOWING The MUSTARD SEED, Museveni long match from Guerrilla to Statesman by Maj. Ondoga Ori Amaze , Uganda’s Revolution how I saw it by Maj Gen Pecos Kutesa and Museveni and NRM Revolution by Muhanguzi Kateera among others.
Others who have written books are Gen Katumba Wamala the Assured Shot to victory, Cutting Through Hell by Brig Dr Kiyengo and Betrayed by my Leader written by Maj John Kazoora.
Maj Gen Kayanja book ‘The Journey To Remember has been Forwarded by his best friend and internal affairs minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire who described Kayanja as a high value person who strives to live a positive impact on others lives.
Gen Otafiire said that with no doubt Kayanja is on the right side of history and he had no doubt that he would succeed.
Ugandans must know that I have succeeded in life due to Christian Catholic upbringing of my parents and in the same vein I have succeeded in the army fight and commanded wars due to clean leadership and guidance of HE the president and CIC who is a good commander on frontline and fathery administration.
Gen Kayanja also attributes his success to Gen Salim Saleh who identified him and have remained as brothers up todate.
He has dedicated his book to his late father Festo Kayanja and his elderly mother Leocadia Najjemba, HE President Museveni, Gen Salim Saleh, Gen Kahinda Otafiire and entire UPDF family.
The book was published by Muhanguzi Kateera publishers on Nkrumah Road Kampala.
