Miria sorry for Obote mistakes

Oct 24, 2005

MIRIA Obote, the widow of former president Milton Obote, apologised to all Ugandan citizens yesterday for the wrongs of her husband.

BY ALI MAO AND
WALTER AKWAT IN LIRA

MIRIA Obote, the widow of former president Milton Obote, apologised to all Ugandan citizens yesterday for the wrongs of her husband.
“In the spirit of reconciliation, I apologise to all who feel that they have been wronged by my husband Milton Obote. Please, forgive him. Likewise, on his behalf, I forgive those who have wronged him,” she said.

Miria was yesterday addressing mourners during a funeral service for the twice-deposed two-time president at his residence in Senior Quarters in Lira Municipality.

Bishop John Charles Odur-Kami of Lango Diocese presided over the prayers. Tourism state minister Jovino Akaki represented the Government.

Miria said her husband had wanted to return home to apologise to Ugandans.

“Milton would have forgiven you himself had he been able to return home alive in time. He is no more with us. Let the healing process begin. Too much hate and acrimony has caused too much blood. We need to heal and move forward in strength and confidence of the future for posterity,” she said.

The death of Obote in a South African hospital on October 10 has drawn mixed reactions across the
country. In Buganda, where several thousands of Ugandans were massacred in the Luweero triangle between 1980 and 1985, hundreds have been celebrating the death of Obote, who they refer to as kawenkene (devil).

Hundreds of Baganda turned up at Wankulukuku stadium on Friday during the national state funeral for Obote at Kololo airstrip in Kampala, to hold special prayers to commemorate the life of Uganda’s first president, Edward Mutesa II.
In 1966, soldiers loyal to then Prime Minister Obote stormed Mutesa’s palace at Lubiri and forced the king to flee to London, where he died in 1969.

Miria paid tribute to President Yoweri Museveni and the Government for allowing her husband’s body to be brought back home, for the financial assistance towards bringing the body back and for meeting the funeral expenses.

She also thanked the governments of Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa for the support they gave to their family in exile.
Obote lived in Tanzania for nine years when his army commander Idi Amin first deposed him in 1971.
In 1985, when his army commander, Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa, overthrew him, he fled to Zambia where he had lived for 20 years till his death.

Miria (above) described her husband as a kind, caring and loving man, who cared very much about his people.

“He loved me his wife, he loved his children and he loved all Ugandans equally. He led the government of Uganda twice. At both times, he led the government with clean hands and a clean heart,” Miria said.

She appealed to the Government to resume peace talks with the LRA rebels. She also asked the Government to close internally displaced people’s camps, saying they were destroying the culture of the people.

She also asked the Government to extend the registration of voters, which ends on Friday.

“This is not sufficient time for those who are abroad to register and participate in the coming elections,” Miria said.
Ends

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