Sh400m for Obote house

By James Oloch ABOUT sh400m will be needed to repair the house of former president Dr. Apollo Milton Obote now exiled in Zambia. The cost was named by a Government team of engineers from the Ministry of Defence's directorate of construction based in Bombo. The engineers have already visited the house in Lira town and made their assessment. The dilapidated house is located at Senior Quarters. The engineers said renovation will include building of a perimeter wall and furnishings. The team was conducted around by the area LC1 chairman, Godfrey Okello, and a mobiliser in the Resident District Commissioner's office, Charles Kurwa. Kurwa said the renovation was in fulfilment of President Yoweri Museveni's pledge to the people of Akokoro, Obote's home county, last year to renovate the house. He said this was in line with the Movement government's policy of forgiveness and reconciliation with former leaders. "The Government has come up with a policy of supporting former leaders," Kurwa said. The late Tito Okello, who deposed Obote in 1985, Obote's premier, Otema Alimadi and Idi Amin's vice-president Mustafa Adrisi were given the same status, Kurwa said. He added that the Government would continue to give protection to the former leaders. Ends.