Parliament pays tribute to fallen MP Okecho

By Henry Sekanjako & Moses Walubiri

MPs have paid glowing tribute to former Budema West MP William Okecho describing him as a transparent and dedicated leader.

In a motion moved by government chief whip Kasule Lumumba and seconded by opposition chief whip Cecilia Ogwal for parliament to pay tribute to the late Oketcho Tuesday afternoon, the MPs described the late Okecho as a nationalistic and informed leader who always debated with facts.

true

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Olanya lays a wreath on the casket of the late William Okecho at Christ The King Church during the funeral service. PHOTO/Peter Busomoke

“The late Okecho was a performer, one time the parliamentary score card rated him as the best performing MPs with 97%, his expertise on Budget issues saw him chair the budget committee well,” said Lumumba.
 

true

Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah consoles the widow of the late Oketcho William, Hellen Oketcho in the House as her daughter Joan Oketcho looks on. PHOTO/Maria Wamala

Cecilia Ogwal, described the late Okecho as someone who believed in transparency and defended the budget Act.
 

Ogwal also described Okecho as a leader who advocated for clean leadership among the youth and leaders.
 

true

The body of William oketcho, also former Chairperson of the budget committee of parliament arrives at parliament. PHOTO/Maria Wamala

Hillary Onek, the minister for relief and disaster preparedness remembered Okecho who happens to be as old boy (OB) in school as a leader who was principled and nationalistic.
 

“He could not speak ‘wolokoso’, he was truthful and mean what he said,” said Onek.
 

Budama South MP, Jacob Oboth Oboth remembered the late Okecho as someone who hated cheap politics and an independent leader who did not belong to any political cliques.
 

The MPs also described Okecho as a leader who wished others well and cared about the development of the country and his community.
 

“During the eight parliaments, the late Okecho represented me ably well, he immensely contributed to the education of people in the japadhole land and he was a greater investor,” said Fox odio the current MP of Budama West.
 

Okecho passed away on Friday last week at Mulago hospital battling kidney failure related illness.

The late Okecho lost his parliamentary seat after a 2011 Constitutional Court ruling declared it illegal for Legislators to switch political party affiliations without vacating their seats
 

The ruling followed a petition instituted against him on grounds that he had joined eighth parliament as an independent and was later nominated to run as an NRM flag bearer to join the ninth parliament on the NRM ticket- an act that contravened the law.