Breaking

Family Wants State Recognition for Gen Bazilio Ahead of Memorial Prayers

Top story
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.
26 Jan 2025 07:51
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.

Support us


Images 1

Keywords

Entities