President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has promised that the government will build a technical school in Palaro sub-county, Gulu district, to remember Brigadier General Pierino Okoya.
Okoya was Deputy Army Commander during President Apolo Milton Obote’s leadership and tragically lost his life in 1970, reportedly at the hands of the then-Army Commander and future President, Amin Dada.
President Museveni made this announcement during the reburial ceremony of Brigadier Okoya in Palaro, where he was informed that Okoya’s family had generously donated 10 acres of land for this purpose.
Museveni commended Okoya for his dedicated service to Uganda and highlighted the stark differences in education and ranks between Okoya and his contemporaries. He pointed out that Okoya, who joined the military in 1948, had achieved the rank of Brigadier while others, like Tito Okello, were still at lower ranks.
The President acknowledged the mistakes made by political leaders in post-independence Uganda, particularly the emphasis on identity over the needs of the people and flawed working methods. He revealed that Okoya had challenged Amin’s decision to flee when President Obote’s life was in danger, which allegedly led to his unfortunate demise.
Museveni stressed that the ruling NRM government seeks reconciliation rather than promoting sectarian politics and warned against the resurgence of false identities causing problems.
During the reburial ceremony, the people of Palaro donated 50 acres of land to the President, which will be used to establish a demonstration farm by the State House.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo expressed the deep impact of Okoya’s death on the region and called for personal, cultural, and state-level efforts to build peace among Ugandans.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Henry Okello Oryem, representing his father Tito Okello Lutwa, who attended Okoya’s burial in 1970, commiserated with the bereaved family, emphasizing the sadness of Okoya and his wife’s deaths.
The Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, found the circumstances surrounding Okoya’s death intriguing and praised Okoya’s exceptional service.
Rwot Yusuf Okwonga Adek, the Pageya clan chief, appreciated the President’s willingness to collaborate with political opponents and urged him to encourage more individuals from Acholi to follow in Okoya’s footsteps.
Lt. Gen. Charles Otema, the head of the organizing committee for the ceremony, expressed gratitude to the President for providing Okoya a dignified burial.
Brigadier Okoya’s son, retired Capt. Johnson Lajolo, thanked the President and appealed for similar recognition of other families with fighters like his across Uganda.
Lastly, Gulu district chairperson Christopher Opiyo Ateker discussed the progress of the four-acre farming model to improve household incomes and emphasized the need for financial literacy and responsible fund utilization.
Regarding nomadic herdsmen in Acholi subregion, Ateker mentioned that they coexist peacefully with the local population, with some exceptions of lawbreaking individuals.
