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ARUA - Mourners thronged Alaa Lower village in Anzuu Parish, Vurra Sub-county Arua district on April 13, 2024, to send off the late retired Colonel Nelson Obiale.

Col Obiale who was the regional coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation in West Nile, and the father to Arua district woman MP Lillian Paparu Obiale, succumbed to cancer of the oesophagus on April 8, 2024, at Mulago Cancer Institute.

The speakers, one after another, described the late as a wealth creator, education lover, patriotic, and peacemaker.

They eulogised that Col Obiale who served in the army for over 50 years, will be missed for his love of education, the environment, and farming.

Urban development state minister Obiga Kania who was the chief mourner, said the government condoles with the bereaved family in celebrating the life of a brave army man, hardworking, patriotic, and educationist whose sacrifices have been realised through the peace enjoyed in the region.

“This is a man who wanted peace, he fought for peace and he was prepared to lay his life for peace, that is why even after retirement the government entrusted him with the responsibility of wealth creation,” said Kania.

Brigadier General Bosco Omure, the coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation in the Lango sub-region, who has been one of Col Obiale’s friends, described him as a peacemaker and education lover who educated all his children.

He urged parents in West Nile to emulate the legacy Col Obiale left behind.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Sam Kavuma, the deputy national coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation and UPDF representative to Parliament who worked closely with Col Obiale as his supervisor said he will be missed greatly for the distinguished sacrifice he offered to the country as far as peace, security and stability is concerned.

Lt Gen. Kavuma said he chose to represent the Chief of Defence Forces at the burials due to his knowledge of Col Obiale’s track record even at a time when he was the 409th Brigade commander.

The deceased's children lay a wreath on the casket of their father. (All Photos by Robert Adiga)

A pillar

MP Lillian Paparu Obiale, one of the daughters of the late, said they will dearly miss their father for the love and care he showed to them.

“He has been a pillar for all of us to lean on and he had all that a child needs in a father as he taught us hard work and humility. Although he had been a uniformed man, whenever he was with the community, he would move alone or tell his bodyguards to move out of uniform and that was him,” Paparu stressed.

Alfred Okuonzi, the LC5 chairman of Arua district, underscored the contribution made by Col Obiale in the socio-economic transformation of the people of Arua district through championing of the different government programs.

“He was a professional army officer and true son of West Nile, together with other brothers ensured that peace prevailed in Vurra despite other turbulent times we have had in this region, he remained a very simple and social person and development-oriented and he was pivotal during the discussions of Arua and ensured that the name Arua remained in Vurra and we shall continue to mourn him as West Nile and pray to God for guidance,” Okuonzi mourned.

Vurra County MP Adriko Yovan said the people of Vurra have lost a great farmer who motivated the farmers to get into commercial agriculture.

Who was Col Obiale?

Col Nelson Obiale passed away aged 77 and left behind a widow and eight children.
He was born on April 5, 1947, in Ala-Lower village, Anzuu parish, Arua district, to Ayinia Ogarabo and Santina Ma’dia.

Obiale went to Vurra Primary School and Ezuku Primary School for his primary cycle and completed it in 1962.

He joined Vurra Junior Secondary School in 1963 and completed his ordinary level at Kabalega Secondary School.

Military background

He was recruited to the Ugandan Army on April 8, 1968.

He was commissioned as an officer after a two-year cadet course in the United Kingdom in December 1970.

He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in January 1972.

In May 1975, he was promoted to the rank of captain.

On April 11, 1979, he went into exile.

Army roles

·       Intelligence Administrative officer In Military Police.

·       Administrative officer in the Military Police.

·       Administrative officer General Court Martial.

·       Commanding officer 11^th Battalion

·       Reserve commander Moyo district.

·       Brigade operations and training officer 409^th brigade.

·       Reserve commander West Nile region.

·       Operation Wealth Creation coordinator-West Nile till death.