Tororo leaders call for calm over district boss' death

Political leaders from Tororo district have called for calm following the death of the Tororo district LCV chairman, Apollo Jaramogi.

Jaramogi, who defected from Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to National Resistance Movement (NRM), died at St. Francis Nsambya hospital on Tuesday evening.

He had been rushed there to receive treatment.

The leaders led by Dr. Tango Odoi, the NRM electoral committee chairman, Ofwono Opondo (Government spokesperson), Emmanuel Othino (Budama South MP), Apollo Ofwono Yeri   (Tororo municipality MP)  and James Waluswaka (Bunyole West County MP) held a press briefing at Parliament yesterday.

"Do not speculate the death of Jaramogi, wait for the post-mortem to be done by specialists at Mulago national referral hospital. I call up on all the communities in Tororo and surrounding   districts to be calm," Odoi said.

Opondo said according to medical doctors, Jaramogi suffered kidney ailment, warning different factions to stop bickering over the death.

"There have been internal wrangles and conflicts between the Iteso and Jopadhola in Tororo since Jaramogi crossed from FDC to NRM. Stop counter accusations until the results of the post-mortem are made public," Opondo said.

Yeri said there will be requiem service at St.Luke's  Church of Uganda in Ntinda on Thursday and that the body will be transported on Friday to Tororo district headquarters for public  viewing.

"And also requiem service at Tororo cathedral will be held in his honor," Yeri added.

Jaramogi will be buried on Saturday, at his ancestral home in Ramoji County, West Budama North.

The 51-year-old was elected LCV chairman in the last February general elections and his death has become a stoked controversy in the district.

There are allegations he did not die of natural death.

Former Tororo Municipality MP, Sanjay Tanna, said:  "It is unfortunate that he has died at this stage. We pray for his family and the district. May his soul rest in peace," Tanna said.

Tororo district is currently embroiled in internal squabbles with sectarian tendencies undermining development and unity among the population.