Museveni described Gen Bazilio Okello as a person with a tribute of service to his nation and a key player in Uganda's immediate post-independence political and military scene.
State Minister for Northern Uganda Dr Kenneth Omona who represented President Museveni lays a wreath on the grave of Gen Bazilio Okello in Madiopei Town Council in Lamwo district on February 15 2025.
President Yoweri Museveni has asked Ugandans to emulate and take pride in the services rendered by former Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) commander Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello to his nation.
Museveni described Gen Okello as a person with a tribute of service to his nation and a key player in Uganda's immediate post-independence political and military scene.
In a written speech read by the state minister for northern Uganda rehabilitation Dr Kenneth Omona on Saturday, Museveni noted that Gen Bazilio’s dedication saw him rise in military ranks and worked hard for his people in the Acholi sub region.
The President’s speech was read during a memorial service held to celebrate the life of Gen Okello by his family in Poyamo Cell, Bank Ward, Madiopei Sub-county in Lamwo district, 35 years after his demise.
Museveni recalled Gen Bazilio’s hard work while in exile in Tanzania, where he developed Kigwa refugee Camp where former Ugandan army exiles were resettled without assistance from Humanitarian Agency United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Working hard with over 1,000 former soldiers, nearly all Acholi, land was tilled for a livelihood. They grew tobacco as a cash crop. These and other humanitarian virtues he displayed set him apart as a man of action geared towards changing the lives of the community,” the President stated.
Gen Okello was a defacto head of state for two days between July 27 and 28th 1985 after toppling the government of former president Apollo Milton Obote. He succumbed to diabetes in January 1990 from Omdurman Hospital in Sudan’s Capital Khartoum where he had been living in exile since 1986 after National Resistance Army commanded by Museveni seized power.
President Museveni also stated that the former political differences and struggles between him and Gen Bazilio had been laid down and noted his government is focusing on what lies ahead for the future of Uganda and Africa. Museveni through the National Resistance Army (NRA) toppled UNLA government led by Tito Okello Lutwa in which Gen Bazilio Okello was a Chief of Defence Forces on January 26, 1986.
Museveni also delivered 20 million Shillings donation to support the family of Gen Okello through Dr Omona.
Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo who attended the memorial service described Gen Okello as a statesman who stood on the truth and nothing else.
“At the hour of need, and at the point of decision making, it was only Gen Bazilio who was a statesman, everyone else in that government was an opportunist,” said Justice Owiny-Dollo. He noted that Gen Bazilio sought no revenge on others but fought hard to ensure people are not oppressed.
Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop Raphael p’Mony Wokorach who was the main celebrant in his sermon told the congregation to reflect about Gen Okello’s life as a soldier who dedicated his life to serving others.
He noted that Like Gen Okello, soldiers are willing to set aside their own plans for the future of others and protect the freedom of the country while having a strong sense of duty towards the weak and vulnerable.
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Archbishop Wokorach said while he had no interaction with Gen Bazilio, he recalled personally seeing him years ago when he was a seminarian and described him as a simple man.
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The family of Gen Bazilio represented by Bazilio Orach Olara yesterday reechoed their requests for the fulfillment of pledges earlier made by President Museveni for the contribution of Gen Okello.
In a letter dated August 15, 2024, written to the Prime Minister had agreed to help the family and children of Gen Okello in offering compensation for land encroached on, and construction of a new house. The President also made directives for purchase of a vehicle for transporting Gen Okello’s widow to hospital and appointment of one of Gen Okello’s daughters into foreign services.
Both Dr Kenneth Omona, and Gen Charles Otema Awany, the Commander of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) yesterday promised to make follow ups on the President’s pledges and ensure they are fulfilled.
The memorial service held under the theme "honoring lifetime dedicated services to the nation" attracted hundreds of people from different walks of life.
Gen Bazilio Okello’s remains were returned from Khartoum where he passed on from in February 2015 and reburied at his ancestral home in Lamwo district.
