Mungu Olara, a son to Gen Bazilio Okello noted that the memorial prayers will serve to honor the life and legacy of their father who stood for peace, unity and Patriotism.
He noted that Gen Okello and others shaped Uganda and emphasized that the idea they fought for should remain vibrant in the hearts and actions of Ugandans.
From L-R. Stella Lanam and Mungu Olara all children of former UNLA Commander Gen Baazilio Okello Olara speak to the press in Gulu City.
The family of Gen. Bazilio Okello Olara, the former Uganda
National Liberation Army (UNLA) commander have asked the government to
recognize their late father as a key figure in Uganda’s liberation struggle.
The request comes ahead of a memorial prayer organized by
the family to celebrate the life of Gen. Okello, 35 years after the demise of
the former Uganda army commander. The Memorial service is slated for February
15 this year in Poyamo Cell, Bank ward in Madiopei Town Council, Lamwo
District.
Gen Okello succumbed to diabetes in January 1990 from Omdurman
Hospital in Sudan’s Capital Khartoum where he had been living in exile since
1986 after fleeing Uganda following the fall of the UNLA government. His
remains were returned in February 2015 and reburied at his ancestral home in
Lamwo district.
Dr Saverio Pido, the eldest son of Gen Okello noted that
after 10 years of their father’s reburial at his ancestral home, they felt the
need to remember his legacy and contribution to Uganda.
“Now, after 10 years, we think that we should organise a
memorial service to remember his good deeds, what he has done for the nation
and what he has done for his people. So, it is a remembrance of his
achievement. Of course, we are not remembering him alone,” said Pido.
He noted that Gen Okello and other people during his time
worked tirelessly to establish a peaceful Uganda and deserve the recognition
of the government since he was also a de facto head of state though just for
only two days.
“You know very well that he (Bazilio) was a leader, an army commander
who fought for Uganda. So, we think this memorial service should be at a
national level because he was also a defacto head of state for two days,” said
Dr Pido.
Dr Pido noted that the family have cried to President Yoweri
Museveni to attend in person the memorial service arguing that the two had a
close working relationship during the 1979 liberation war.
He described his late father as a kindhearted individual, hard
worker, courageous and friendly despite being a soldier.
Gen Okello was one of the UNLA commanders who together with
the Tanzanian army organized the coup d’état that toppled the eight-year dictatorial
regime of former president Idi Amin in 1979. In 1985, he was the chairman of
the ruling Military Council and de facto head of state of Uganda who was later promoted
as the chief of the armed forces under the leadership of former President Gen
Tito Okello Lutwa.
Mungu Olara, a son of Gen Bazilio Okello noted
that the memorial prayers will serve to honour the life and legacy of their
father who stood for peace, unity and Patriotism.
He noted that Gen Okello and others shaped Uganda and emphasized
that the idea they fought for should remain vibrant in the hearts and actions
of Ugandans.
“As a family, we will be celebrating his life and honouring his
legacy, a legacy deeply rooted in the history of Uganda. As a nation, we will
also be celebrating the many patriots who served along with him and those who
continue to serve today,” he said.
Bosco Odoch Olak, the Presidential Coordinator for northern
Uganda noted that the family of the late Gen Okello met with President Museveni
on August 7th last year from State House Entebbe where the head of
state pledged to fulfil several issues.
In a letter dated August 15, 2024, written to the Prime Minister,
President Museveni noted that he agreed to help the family and children of Gen
Okello, with the renovation or reconstruction of the family house in Madi-opei Town
Council that was occupied by the National Resistance Army and
damaged.
He also directed that the family of Gen Okello be compensated
for the land that has been encroached on by the villagers and use the money to buy
land elsewhere. Other directives were for the government to rent a house for
the widow of Gen Okello in the Kampala area for one year as the house is being rebuilt
or renovated and that the state house comptroller also gives her monthly upkeep for
one year.
The President also directed the State House Comptroller to
buy for the widow a double cabin pickup to ease her transportation to the hospital
while the Minister of Foreign Affairs handled the recruitment of one of the
daughters of Gen Okello into the foreign service.
Stella Lanam however called on the responsible authorities in
government to follow up the pledges so that they are fulfilled.
Bureau Chief, West Acholi