Lira RDC ‘did it’: Radio Unity 97.7 Fm switched-off for ‘inciting violence’

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Lira – On Wednesday this week, Lira RDC Milton Odongo issued a threat to close media houses in Lango sub-region going ‘overboard’ with their latest businesses.

His announcement was heard as a mere say to the public, with some, urging him to focus on ‘his core assignments’.

RDC Odongo’s statement came after local media houses [radios] in Lango sub-region, especially in Lira town broadcast to the public fake postmortem report of slain Dickens Okello who is alleged to have been killed by two Indian traders.

Okello, who was laid to rest in Dog-gudu village, Alito sub-county in Kole district on Saturday [today] morning, was manhandled by Indian traders, as witnessed by his brother – Ogwang Denis who survived.

Ogwang – addressing the mourners on Saturday, said the two Indians lured them with biscuits, sweets and money – offers they vehemently rejected.

From here, he added they were chased by the two men only for his brother to get trapped in the wire, caught and tortured. He soon died after reaching Lira regional referral hospital that evening, Friday.

This matter was a public concern but Lira district security committee chairperson, Milton Odongo – also an RDC, perhaps wanted to control its flow.

As atmosphere in Lira town turned malodorous with teargas and live bullets on Saturday, Radio Unity – 97.7 FM located in Ojwina division was attacked and ordered off air by security forces.

Lira DPC, Joel Tubanone told journalists later that all was done to ‘control further chaos’ being championed by idle youth.

At least seven staff, including senior managers was among those arrested. They include Aron Olao [who was on air], Rolex Akena Ogwal [operation manager] and one Chaku [a technician also a shareholder], and others.

Sam Atul – Unity Radio station manager has his phones, laptop, and other gadgets confiscated.