Last Updated on: 12th April 2023, 09:23 am
Lira, April 12, 2023: The former Member of Parliament for Oyam South in Oyam District, Ishaa Otto Amiza has out of the blue praised President Yoweri Museveni and Major General David Oyite Ojok (RIP) collectively.
Oyite was Uganda’s former Army commander in the UPC regime whom Otto says, together with Museveni, did the greatest struggle in removing “a brutal leader” Idi Amin Dada from power.
From 1971 to 1979, Uganda was led by a hardnosed leader, Idi Amin Dada. The former head of state is believed to have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people across Uganda.
Lango and Acholi sub-regions lost many of their sons and daughters to Amin’s ruthlessness.
According to Otto, besides the killing of Lango and Acholi people, Amin allegedly killed all the Obote’s loyalists, and looted Uganda, among other inhuman practices.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023, marked 44 years since the brutal leader was evicted from power, and Otto commends Museveni and Oyite for the struggle.
He said both Museveni and Oyite Ojok sacrificed themselves at that time to save Uganda, adding that the duo needs to be remembered and appreciated.
Much as Otto has praised Museveni, he also blamed his government for not appreciating and honoring Uganda’s heroes who brought peace at that time.
He wants the government to declare April 11 every year in the national calendar as a public holiday to appreciate those who devoted their time to serve and protect the country.
“We have started documenting lists and names of Ugandans who participated in the struggle to remove Dictator Iddi Amin and also names of innocent Ugandans killed by Amin,” he said during a press conference at Valley Resort Hotel, Lira City.
Otto adds that now that the NRM government has recognized the killing by Amin by declaring Janan Luwum Day, it would be a wiser decision to reconsider Oyite Ojok Liberation Day.
On April 11, 1979, combined soldiers of UNLF and Tanzania Army Forces overthrew Iddi Amin from power.
By Jimmy Krapt Olot & Frank Oyugi