Apac leaders want Obote declared a national hero

Jun 10, 2009

Apac district leaders have asked President Yoweri Museveni to declare former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote a national hero.

By Patrick Opio

Apac district leaders have asked President Yoweri Museveni to declare former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote a national hero.

Speaking during celebrations to mark Heroes Day at Boma Grounds on Tuesday, the district works and community development secretary, Asanti Odongo, said Obote was a patriot whose efforts to shape the country should be recognised.

Clad in military uniform, Odongo, who is the Ibuje sub-county councillor, said: “If President Museveni could reconsider his attitude towards the late Obote and include him among the heroes, he would be assured of massive votes from Lango.”

He was representing the LC5 chairman, Nicholas Opio Bunga.

Odongo, a Uganda Peoples Congress stalwart, has just returned from a three-week leadership course at the National Leadership Institute, Kyankwanzi.

“Museveni and Obote are both heroes. They have worked for the good of Ugandans and they must be applauded,” he noted.

Odongo warned the current leaders against re-writing the history of past leaders to suit their personal interests.

The deputy resident district commissioner, Samwiri Okwir, who officiated at the function, agreed with Odongo that Obote be named a hero for his outstanding patriotic contribution.

“We cannot hide facts. The son of the soil did much in rebuilding this nation,” Okwir added. He said Obote’s philosophy of ‘One people, one Parliament, one country’ was a sign of nationalism.

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