Lira municipality to name street after Ben Ogwang Ocoo

At about 2:30 Pm on Thursday afternoon, a military helicopter carrying the lifeless body of Ben Ogwang Ocoo, the famous director of Lira Medical Center touched ground at Lira airfield.

Hundreds of people across religious and political divide who had waited in the scorching sun for over three hours, moved closer to catch a glimpse of the casket carrying Ogwang’s remains.

The body was received by among others Robert Abak, Lira outgoing Resident District Commissioner, Lira DPC Joel Tubanone, and businessmen like Patrick Olet of Gracious Palace Hotel, among others.

NRM Northern Uganda vice chairperson Sam Engola accompanied the family of the late Ogwang in the helicopter that carried his remains.

“I feel sad as any other normal person would feel, it is sad we lost Dr [as was widely known] Ogwang Ocoo,” Engola told TND News team as the body was on its way to Lira municipal council hall.

At the council meeting, the body arrived in a fully parked room with councilors and non-members of the council queuing to offer him the last honor.

It took many efforts for security officers to control the crowd [mourners] many of whom forcefully wanted to see their way into the council hall where deceased casket was laid.

During the council meeting presided over by council speaker Geoffrey Bosco Ogwal, speaker after speaker praised the late Ogwang Ocoo for being a political father who selflessly mentored many in council.

Judith Agetta, a councilor said Ogwang Ocoo will be remembered for his contribution in solid waste management and that he was a peace maker.

“Ben was a loving person. He used to refer to me as my daughter and would advise me from time to time,” she said.

Zena Opolot, a councilor of Teso ‘C’ parish attributed her political success in the last election to Ogwang Ocoo.

“He called me, gave me money and advised me not to segregate any party,” Zena recalls

She also revealed that when president Museveni appointed his ministers, Ogwang drove her and some people to State House and asked them not to black mail those appointed from Lango but to ask the president for more.

Meanwhile, Lira Municipality mayor, Mike Ogwang Olwa Veve has said Lira municipal council will consider naming one of the roads after Ogwang Ocoo.

Mr Ogwang, a philanthropist and a businessman whilst little known politician yet a good mobilizer, died last Sunday from Mulago national hospital in Kampala.

He was buried at the weekend [on Saturday] in Otwal sub-county, Oyam County North, Oyam district.