Museveni hails mother of ex-UPA rebel leader as beacon of reconciliation

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President Yoweri Museveni has paid tribute to the late Ajelena Aero, the mother of former rebel leader Francis Eregu, commonly known as Hitler, describing her as an “elder sister” whose life came to symbolise forgiveness, reconciliation and national unity.

Aero passed away on January 21, at the age of 101 years, just five months short of her 102nd birthday. She died at Soroti City Clinic after a long illness.
Her burial took place on Sunday (January 25) at her ancestral home in Arapai, Soroti city.

In a condolence message read during the burial by the Minister for Northern Uganda, Dr Kenneth Omona, President Museveni said he had received news of Aero’s death with sadness and extended heartfelt sympathies to her family on behalf of the Government and the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Dr Kenneth Omona paying his last respect.

“I received, with sadness, the news of the death of my elder sister, Aero Angela, who was the mother of the late Francis Eregu, former commander of the Uganda People’s Army (UPA),” Museveni said.

Observers described the moment as remarkable, given the painful history between the government and Eregu, who once led a rebellion aimed at toppling Museveni’s administration. However, the President’s message underscored a long-standing policy of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Eregu was a senior commander of the UPA, a rebel group that operated mainly in eastern and northern Uganda in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The group carried out attacks on government forces and caused widespread insecurity in the Teso sub-region.

The government eventually defeated Eregu and his group, which included the late Peter Otai, a former minister in the Obote government who chaired the UPA. The insurgency left deep scars within the Teso community and strained relations between civilians and the state.

Following the defeat of the rebellion, President Museveni pursued a policy of reconciliation, integrating former combatants into government and public service.

Among those later incorporated into government was the current works state minister, Musa Ecweru.

Eregu is believed to have died in Kenya, although his body was never recovered. In the years that followed, his family faced hostility from sections of the community, but his mother endured the hardship with resilience.

Despite having been directly opposed by Eregu during the insurgency, President Museveni extended reconciliation to the family even in his absence.

In June last year, the President met Aero and members of her family at State House, where he told her he had forgiven both her and her son. He later supported the construction of a house for her.

“The NRM is always ready to integrate and work with former adversaries once they abandon rebellion and choose cooperation,” Museveni stated in his condolence message.
Dr Omona said the state could not punish a mother for the actions of her son.

“She led her family to meet the President so that she could reconcile with him and with the entire country. She died a happy woman. Perhaps that is why God kept her alive for so long to make peace with everyone,” Dr Omona said.

Reflecting on the Teso insurgency, Dr Omona said many Iteso joined the rebellion due to indiscipline among some government officials and soldiers at the time, which angered the population.

“I have no apology for participating in that war because there were inddisciplined people in the government and the army. I was arrested as a child and beaten because my brother was a rebel. My mother was tied and beaten with a panga as if she had sent her son to the bush,” Omona recounted.

He called on leaders and citizens to avoid actions that fuel resentment and conflict, urging Ugandans to learn from President Museveni’s humility and reconciliatory approach.

Eregu was the first-born in a family of eight children, born to the late Vincent Ewinya Elemu and Aero Angela, both now deceased.

Former Soroti District LC5 chairperson Gregory Mikairi Egunyu praised the President for his forgiving heart, noting that Museveni had supported Aero both in life and in death.

“He built her a house and has also sent money to support her burial. The President received blessings from this elderly woman whom he met before her death,” Egunyu said.

Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo also commended President Museveni for promoting reconciliation, even with individuals and families linked to past rebellions.
During the ceremony, Dr Omona delivered sh10 million in cash to the bereaved family as government support.

Aero is survived by eight children, 51 grandchildren and 128 great-grandchildren, including Catholic priest James Osuku.