Kony’s family requests govt for house
Nov 15, 2009
JOSEPH Kony’s step-father, Martin Okidi-Oluma, 73, has appealed to the Government to build a house for the siblings of Joseph Kony.
By Dennis Ojwee
JOSEPH Kony’s step-father, Martin Okidi-Oluma, 73, has appealed to the Government to build a house for the siblings of Joseph Kony.
Oluma made the request during the burial of Kony’s mother, Norah Anek-Oting, 86, at Palaro-Agwentina village in Odek sub-county in Gulu district on Saturday.
“I wish the house that the Government built for Kony’s mother in Mukono district was set up at her marital home in Odek here,†he said.
“It could have been of great significance and help to the entire family, especially the bereaved children and grand children. It is sad that Anek has been buried in a bush because there is no permanent structure.â€
She was buried on a piece of land where her homestead stood before the LRA insurgency.
Oluma thanked President Yoweri Museveni for the sh5m he sent the bereaved family and thanked the Government for meeting the burial costs.
Anek-Oting died of cardiac failure and a lung infection at Mulago Hospital in Kampala last week.
Other than Kony who was born in 1962, Oting is survived by two other children, Gaberila Lakot, 52, and Betty Akidi, 30.
Kony’s father, Luigi Obol, died in 2003 aged 85 and was buried at Lacor cemetery in Gulu municipality.
Unconfirmed reports state that he is one of the World WAR II veterans.
Odek sub-county chief Matthew Olobo said building a house would be a reconciliation gesture towards the family of the LRA leader. Anek was buried amidst heavy military deployment.
The Gulu resident district commissioner, Col. Walter Ochora, said: “we expected many dignitaries to attend the funera, so it was necessary to deploy the soldiers.â€
The Government was represented defence minister Lt. Gen. Jeje Odong.
President Museveni in his condolence massage, which was read by Lt.Gen Odong, described Anek as a caring and peace-loving mother.
‘‘It is unfortunate that she died before seeing her son abandon the rebellion.
She was so committed to the peace process to the extent that she had travel to Garamba to persuade her son to stop fighting,’’ Museveni’s letter said.
The President assured the people of northern Uganda that the insurgency would never re - occur.
Lt. Gen Odong urged the community in Odek not to revenge against Kony’s family, despite the atrocities the elusive leader committed.
“I know you people still have very strong emotions, but you should not let your emotions cloud your thinking. It is time to forgive each other and move forward,’’ he said.
JOSEPH Kony’s step-father, Martin Okidi-Oluma, 73, has appealed to the Government to build a house for the siblings of Joseph Kony.
Oluma made the request during the burial of Kony’s mother, Norah Anek-Oting, 86, at Palaro-Agwentina village in Odek sub-county in Gulu district on Saturday.
“I wish the house that the Government built for Kony’s mother in Mukono district was set up at her marital home in Odek here,†he said.
“It could have been of great significance and help to the entire family, especially the bereaved children and grand children. It is sad that Anek has been buried in a bush because there is no permanent structure.â€
She was buried on a piece of land where her homestead stood before the LRA insurgency.
Oluma thanked President Yoweri Museveni for the sh5m he sent the bereaved family and thanked the Government for meeting the burial costs.
Anek-Oting died of cardiac failure and a lung infection at Mulago Hospital in Kampala last week.
Other than Kony who was born in 1962, Oting is survived by two other children, Gaberila Lakot, 52, and Betty Akidi, 30.
Kony’s father, Luigi Obol, died in 2003 aged 85 and was buried at Lacor cemetery in Gulu municipality.
Unconfirmed reports state that he is one of the World WAR II veterans.
Odek sub-county chief Matthew Olobo said building a house would be a reconciliation gesture towards the family of the LRA leader. Anek was buried amidst heavy military deployment.
The Gulu resident district commissioner, Col. Walter Ochora, said: “we expected many dignitaries to attend the funera, so it was necessary to deploy the soldiers.â€
The Government was represented defence minister Lt. Gen. Jeje Odong.
President Museveni in his condolence massage, which was read by Lt.Gen Odong, described Anek as a caring and peace-loving mother.
‘‘It is unfortunate that she died before seeing her son abandon the rebellion.
She was so committed to the peace process to the extent that she had travel to Garamba to persuade her son to stop fighting,’’ Museveni’s letter said.
The President assured the people of northern Uganda that the insurgency would never re - occur.
Lt. Gen Odong urged the community in Odek not to revenge against Kony’s family, despite the atrocities the elusive leader committed.
“I know you people still have very strong emotions, but you should not let your emotions cloud your thinking. It is time to forgive each other and move forward,’’ he said.