Obote family receive Kampala mansion
Apr 13, 2006
THE Government has completed repairs on former President Apollo Milton Obote’s mansion on Impala Avenue, Kololo, and handed it over to the family.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE Government has completed repairs on former President Apollo Milton Obote’s mansion on Impala Avenue, Kololo, and handed it over to the family.
The two-storey mansion now has a new cream coat of paint, and the large windows have been fitted with white curtain nettings.
But the family said the Government had not met its whole bargain, like fixing the fence and the compound.
Henry Opiote, the personal doctor to Miria Obote, however, said yesterday although the house appeared to be in good shape, the Government had not met the whole bargain.
“We have been asking the Government since October when they intended to finish up the work but we are still waiting for their response,†he said.
Opiote, who said he was living in the house, pointed at the newly-planted lawn. He said without a fence, the house was exposed to passers-by.
James Akena, Obote’s son and new MP for Lira Municipality, said the Government undertook to complete the entire structure, including the fence.
“It is in good shape but there is no fence. Basically the Government has removed its hands off the house, and says it is up to us to do the rest,†he said.
Asked whether this was okay with the family, he replied, “Well, they should have completed the entire structure but....†He did not complete the sentence.
He said his mother, Miria Obote was living in a rented residence in Kampala, which he did not disclose. He said work had also started on their house in Lira.
The house was being used by soldiers during Obote’s exile in Lusaka, Zambia, untill his death.
According to the ministry of internal affairs, the family renewed demands for the return of the house, prompting the Government to set up a committee to oversee the evacuation of soldiers and the renovation.
Internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the head of the committe, could not be reached for comment yesterday. He was said to be in a meeting the whole day and his phone was switched off.
THE Government has completed repairs on former President Apollo Milton Obote’s mansion on Impala Avenue, Kololo, and handed it over to the family.
The two-storey mansion now has a new cream coat of paint, and the large windows have been fitted with white curtain nettings.
But the family said the Government had not met its whole bargain, like fixing the fence and the compound.
Henry Opiote, the personal doctor to Miria Obote, however, said yesterday although the house appeared to be in good shape, the Government had not met the whole bargain.
“We have been asking the Government since October when they intended to finish up the work but we are still waiting for their response,†he said.
Opiote, who said he was living in the house, pointed at the newly-planted lawn. He said without a fence, the house was exposed to passers-by.
James Akena, Obote’s son and new MP for Lira Municipality, said the Government undertook to complete the entire structure, including the fence.
“It is in good shape but there is no fence. Basically the Government has removed its hands off the house, and says it is up to us to do the rest,†he said.
Asked whether this was okay with the family, he replied, “Well, they should have completed the entire structure but....†He did not complete the sentence.
He said his mother, Miria Obote was living in a rented residence in Kampala, which he did not disclose. He said work had also started on their house in Lira.
The house was being used by soldiers during Obote’s exile in Lusaka, Zambia, untill his death.
According to the ministry of internal affairs, the family renewed demands for the return of the house, prompting the Government to set up a committee to oversee the evacuation of soldiers and the renovation.
Internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the head of the committe, could not be reached for comment yesterday. He was said to be in a meeting the whole day and his phone was switched off.