Amuriat, in court over protest charges, reflects on Omala

SOROTI - Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Patrick Amuriat, has joined the Police Force in mourning their former officer, retired Assistant Commissioner Sam Omala, 65, who died Monday, April 28.

Amuriat, who described the death as unfortunate, noted that Omala's character, while in service, was harsh towards opposition members.

"The character of late Omala, while he was in service, is something that demonstrates to us that while we are on earth, we need to live exemplary lives, we need to be reasonable to each other, we need to be honest to each other," Amuriat said.

"When we are in a position of authority, we should know that life is vanity," he added.
Amuriat recalled the rough encounters he had with Omala during demonstrations in Kampala involving himself, Dr Kizza Besigye, and other key opposition leaders and supporters.

"We know that he could have asked for forgiveness, which is good, but I think we should not wait to ask for forgiveness when we are in a situation where we know we are on the way out of the world," Amuriat explained.

Amuriat is currently in Soroti, where he is appearing in court over charges related to holding an unlawful assembly, burning tyres, and throwing stones.

He is charged alongside two city MPs: Joan Alobo (Woman MP) and Jonathan Ebwalu (West Division MP). Three other individuals—Sam Acheitum, Sylus Emedu, and Albert Ogalamu—are jointly charged with them.

The case is before Chief Magistrate Hilda Bakanasa Walaga.