Bundibugyo Floods Hero Rewarded

 

Corporal Hannington Agaba, the wildlife community ranger who was captured on camera rescuing locals trapped in the Bundibugyo floods early this month was yesterday rewarded for his heroics.

Agaba was handed a Shs 2million cheque and promised another unmentioned reward in the future by his bosses.

Addressing the press at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Headquarters in Kampala on Friday, Agaba revealed that he was compelled to undertake this dangerous task by compassion.

“It would be traumatic for me to see someone die on my watch,” he said.

Agaba says he instinctively jumped into the running waters, relying mostly on the Wildlife Rangers obstacle training that he got.

Sam Mwandha the UWA executive director explained that it is embedded in their mantra to help locals whenever it is necessary because they live amongst them.

“We consider ourselves as part of the community. If you go to most of our parks, our outposts, our settlements are next to the community. So we are part of that community that we stay with,” Mwandha said.

Handing over the dummy cheque of two million shillings to Agaba on behalf of Arrow Security Systems, Capt. Mike Mukula said this was not the first time he is recognizing extraordinary heroes.

She cited a female traffic officer who was knocked by a speeding bodaboda cyclist in the city suburb of Bugolobi but merely shook off her injuries and returned to guide traffic.

Mukula says actions like these cannot go unnoticed.

“It was surprising seeing Agaba carrying an old lady who could not move through these floods. What he did showed that he loves his country, is a people person and loves his job,” he added.

Mukula also promised to brief President Yoweri Museveni on this very matter.