A surprise revelation by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has put the late Kenyan politician Cyrus Jirongo back at the centre of regional attention.

Museveni has disclosed that he only recently learnt that Jirongo had died, even as the Ugandan leader paid tribute to the veteran politician and recalled his alleged role in raising concerns about Uganda’s petroleum procurement.

“I have just learnt that Senator Cyrus Jirongo passed away last December in a motor accident. I was not aware that he had died,” Museveni said.

The revelation came months after Jirongo died in a road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

Museveni described the late politician as a “good and patriotic leader” who served Kenya with dedication.

“This is very sad. Jirongo was a good and patriotic leader who served his country with dedication. We shall miss him,” he said.

The Ugandan President then sent his condolences to Jirongo’s family, relatives, friends and the people of Kenya.

“My condolences go to his family, relatives, friends and the people of Kenya. May his soul rest in peace,” Museveni added.

Museveni’s Shock Jirongo Revelation: ‘I Was Not Aware That He Had Died’

Why Jirongo’s name had suddenly resurfaced

Museveni’s revelation is particularly striking because Jirongo’s name had only just resurfaced in a separate discussion involving Uganda’s petroleum imports.

A day earlier, Museveni identified Jirongo as the Kenyan politician who alerted him around 2019 about Uganda’s use of middlemen in petroleum procurement.

“It was a Kenyan Senator called Jirongo who told me this around 2019,” Museveni said.

According to Museveni, Jirongo’s information prompted him to direct then Energy Minister Irene Muloni to address the matter.

Museveni later linked changes in Uganda’s petroleum procurement system to an agreement involving Vitol in 2023, saying the new arrangement helped reduce the cost of importing fuel.

His comments have brought renewed attention to Jirongo’s role in a debate that stretches beyond Kenya’s borders.

From Kenyan political heavyweight to unexpected regional figure

Jirongo was one of Kenya’s prominent politicians during the KANU era and served as the Member of Parliament for Lugari.

He also served as a Cabinet minister during the administration of retired President Daniel arap Moi.

Although Museveni referred to him as a senator, Jirongo was not an elected member of Kenya’s Senate.

He unsuccessfully contested the Senate seat in 2013 but remained a prominent figure in Kenyan political and business circles.

His political career included involvement in major national political realignments, making him a familiar figure in Kenya’s political history.

Jirongo died months before Museveni’s revelation

Jirongo died on December 13, 2025, after a fatal road accident at Karai along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

His death came months before Museveni publicly identified him as the politician who had brought the petroleum procurement concerns to his attention.

That chronology has now created an unusual twist in the story.

Museveni was discussing Jirongo’s role in Uganda’s fuel debate while, according to his latest statement, he did not know that the Kenyan politician had already died.

Museveni also brought Ruto into the story

While explaining Uganda’s petroleum procurement changes, Museveni also praised President William Ruto.

Museveni said Ruto played a role in enabling Uganda to use Kenya’s petroleum infrastructure.

“I want to thank H.E Ruto because he prevailed over some actors in Kenya who were trying to resist,” Museveni said.

The Ugandan leader said Uganda subsequently secured access to Kenya’s oil pipeline and acquired a 20.15 per cent shareholding.

The remarks have added a Kenyan dimension to what initially appeared to be a Ugandan petroleum procurement story.

A late politician suddenly back in the spotlight

Jirongo has been gone for months, but Museveni’s latest remarks have unexpectedly revived interest in his political legacy.

The former Lugari MP is now being discussed not only for his career in Kenyan politics but also for the role Museveni says he played in drawing attention to Uganda’s petroleum procurement system.

And perhaps the most unexpected part of the story is Museveni’s own admission.

The Ugandan President, while paying tribute to Jirongo, said he had only just discovered that the veteran Kenyan politician had died.

“I was not aware that he had died,” Museveni said.

The revelation has given Jirongo’s story an unexpected final chapter — one that has brought together Kenyan politics, Uganda’s fuel procurement debate and a presidential tribute delivered months after his death.

Do you want to be published? E-mail info@thedailywhistle.co.ke or WhatsApp 0721930260

Museveni’s Shock Jirongo Revelation: ‘I Was Not Aware That He Had Died’