Gulu mourns Col. Walter Ochora

Mar 06, 2011

TEARS flowed endlessly as thousands of mourners jammed the Gulu-Kampala highway to receive the body of retired Col. Walter Ochora Odoch. Business came to a standstill as shopkeepers and market vendors closed shop to pay tribute to Ochora.

By Chris Ocowun

TEARS flowed endlessly as thousands of mourners jammed the Gulu-Kampala highway to receive the body of retired Col. Walter Ochora Odoch. Business came to a standstill as shopkeepers and market vendors closed shop to pay tribute to Ochora.

Mourners formed thick lines on both sides of the road from Koro sub-county headquarters, Layibi centre, Cereleno, Gulu town centre up to the 4th division barracks, where the body was rested on Saturday.

Ochora’s body was received at Bobi sub-county headquarters by religious and local leaders as well as women and children. The body was flown from Kampala using a UPDF helicopter.

As apart of the activities to mourn Ochora, Gulu district council has declared Friday, when Ochora’s remains will be buried at his home at Obiya-Highland, a public holiday.

The archbishop of Gulu archdiocese, John Baptist Odama, and the bishop of Diocese of Northern Uganda (Anglican), Johnson Gakumba, prayed for Ochora’s soul at Gulu barracks on Saturday.

He adding that Ochora stood firm with the Acholi people during the war and struggled for peace.

Ochora died on Wednesday at Kampala International Hospital of respiratory complications.

Some of the mourners, who marched with the UPDF brass band from Koro to the barracks, held placards describing Ochora as a hero, who fought for peace and unity in the northern region.

Ochora’s mother, Ejeria Auma, said her son had rested from the insults of some Acholi leaders.

Gulu district vice-chairman McMot Kitara said the council had resolved that the Government, institutional and Acholi flags in all government and non-government offices fly at half-mask from Monday to Friday when Ochora will be buried.

 “On Thursday, the body of the retired Col. Ochora will leave the cold room at the Gulu 4th division barracks and will be brought to district council hall for the councillors to pay their tribute. We expect more than 2,000 mourners to join us to view the body,” Kitara stated.

Brig. Charles Otema Awany, the UPDF 4th division commander, said prayers for Ochora would take place at Kaunda Grounds because of the big number of mourners expected to attend.

He urged the people to emulate Ochora in order to bring unity among the Acholi leaders and people.

Otema thanked the mourners for turning up in big numbers to receive and pay tribute to Ochora’s body.

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