Thousands mourn, celebrate statesman Rtd. Col. Tony Otoa  

What the widow said, requested:

• Aya Anna Otoa, widow, urged Lango Cultural leaders to emulate her late husband who wanted peace and a stable Lango culture. 
• She requested the government to accord educational support to her children since she has no formal employment. 
• I loved my husband, and he loved me. It was a genuine love, not one which (is) was only spoken.
• Requested wives to take care of their husbands when they are ill.

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On Wednesday, May 7, in Baroganda, Agweng sub-county, Lira district; Uganda, and Lango said their final goodbyes to their revered son, Retired Colonel Tony Ogwal Otoa, who died peacefully on April 28, 2025.

Rtd. Col. Otoa, who died at the age of 85, was a distinguished soldier, statesman, cultural leader, and patriot whose legacy of selfless service to nation and community will inspire future generations.

Wednesday was marked by highlights of his contributions at the local, national, and regional levels, as well as heartfelt tributes and reflections from religious, political, and cultural figures.

His final journey away from this earth drew thousands of mourners, including top military brass, government officials, religious leaders, and community members.

The burial ceremony included military honors, traditional rites, and moving eulogies honoring a life marked by resilience, vision, and dedication.

Born on September 20, 1940, in Masaka, to World War II veteran Temteo and Mirika Ogwal, Rtd. Col. Otoa started a journey marked by modest beginnings and unwavering values.

His upbringing was shaped by modest means, hardship, and his mother’s unwavering determination. These formative years instilled in young Tony a spirit of perseverance and a strong sense of duty.

He began his education at Oromo Sub Grade School, later progressing through Agweng Primary and Ngetta Boys Boarding School before earning his Cambridge School Certificate from St. Leo’s College Kyegobe.

In the 1960s, he achieved the rare feat of earning a Diploma in Cooperative Management from Denmark, placing him among a distinguished cadre of educated Ugandans at the time.

From an army officer to national hero

His military career began in 1967, when he joined the Uganda Army. His military intelligence and command training took him to the USSR (now Russia) and the United Kingdom, where he gained elite skills that would prove useful later in Uganda’s turbulent political history.

He was a key figure in national liberation during the 1970s, helping to overthrow President Idi Amin in 1979.

Notably, he was a member of the strategic team that seized Radio Uganda, paving the way for Gen. David Oyite Ojok to announce the end of the Amin regime, a watershed moment in Uganda’s history.

Despite enduring political persecution and going into exile twice, Col. Otoa remained unwavering in his commitment to serve his country. His return to Uganda saw him appointed to the Kikosi Malum (Special Task Force), where he played a key role in post-war recovery efforts and national stabilization.

He officially retired from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) on January 31, 2005, but remained deeply involved in public service and community development until his final days.

Leadership beyond the battlefield

Following his retirement, he served in various civil capacities, beginning as a cooperative assistant in Erute and account assistant in Tanzania.

During the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, he emerged as a central figure in reconciliation and peace building in northern Uganda.

He was appointed Prime Minister of the Lango Cultural Foundation from 2007 to 2013 and concurrently served as Clan Chief of the Abwor clan. In these roles, he advocated for cultural preservation, unity among the Lango people, and the socio-economic development of the region.

Rtd. Col. Otoa also left a strong mark on public administration where he served as chairperson of the Lira District Service Commission, spearheading reforms, promoting transparency, merit-based recruitment, and anti-corruption principles.

Nation and leaders pay tribute

At his burial, former Prime Minister of Uganda Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda delivered a powerful tribute on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who described Col. Otoa as “a great and committed patriotic leader who served Uganda with distinction.”

The president, through Dr. Rugunda, also donated shs10 million to the bereaved family as a condolence gesture.

Dr. Rugunda highlighted Col. Otoa’s exemplary service as a UPDF representative in the Sixth Parliament and his enduring energy and zeal for community transformation.

He noted Otoa’s remarkable work in the education sector, particularly during his six-year tenure on the army school committee, where he advocated for educational advancement and youth empowerment.

“Col Otoa loved progress and the transformation of his people,” Dr. Rugunda said, as he read Museveni’s condolence message. “This was evident in the way he willingly served on several development-oriented committees.”

President Museveni, still in his written message read by Dr. Rugunda, reaffirmed the National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s commitment to continue championing the values of unity, anti-sectarianism, and national transformation ideals Col. Otoa upheld throughout his life.

Cultural legacy and community transformation

The Paramount Chief of Lango Cultural Institution, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, remembered Rtd. Col. Otoa as a visionary and unifier who played a significant role in post-war reconciliation.

He praised Otoa’s efforts in initiating the landmark Lango Conference in 2012, which helped shape the region’s political and development agenda.

Dr. Okune called on President Museveni to fulfill three of Col Otoa’s long-standing wishes including declaring April 11 as a National Liberation Commemoration Day to honor freedom fighters and their sacrifices in toppling Idi Amin.

Secondly, to exhume and rebury fallen Lango fighters in Agoro, Mutukula, and Tanzania or erect monuments in their memory.

And lastly, to recognize and compensate members of the Kikosi Malum, and consider establishing an institution in memory of their contribution and support.

These appeals, which the late dearly wanted worked on while still alive, underscored the enduring relevance of his vision for national healing and historical recognition.

Honoring his contributions in education and governance, Lira district LC5 chairperson RCM Okello Orik hailed Rtd. Col. Otoa for spearheading efforts to secure government support and coding for Baroganda Primary School and also naming an administrative block in his honor.

The district council, he noted, approved a motion by Ogur sub-county councillor Moses Otim to name a street at the new district headquarters in Ogur after Col. Otoa.

“…we shall name one of the administration blocks at Baroganda Primary School after him,” Okello Orik said.

“His legacy of integrity and free corruption leadership during his tenure as chairperson of the District Service Commission remains unmatched,” he added.

Speaking on Tuesday at Lira district council hall, James Omara Elem, Secretary for Finance in Lira City, proposed that Col. Otoa’s unpublished autobiography and book be preserved in the district library once published, ensuring that future generations can learn from his life of service and principle.

In his homily, Monsignor Valente Innocent Opio, Vicar General of Lira Diocese, called on Ugandans to emulate Col. Otoa’s commitment to unity, truth, and justice.

“Let us not be swayed by leaders who seek power through disunity. Let us hold fast to the values Col Otoa lived and died for,” Monsignor Opio urged.

Last Salute!

The burial ceremony was sealed with a military (gun) salute in honor of a man who fought for the nation’s stability and peace.

As the sun set over Baroganda, and his casket was lowered into the earth, mourners wept not just for a departed elder but for a pillar of strength, wisdom, and humility. For a man whose work touched lives far and wide.

Apap Otoa leaves behind a family, an Abwor clan who still needed him, a nation, and a lasting legacy based on faith, patriotism, and visionary leadership.