NRM, Teso have lost a great leader, peace-maker in the late Okodel
Not a single mourner who came forth to give an eulogy about the account of his life walked away without mentioning the words “peaceful†and “pillar of good leadership†to describe him.
By Daniel Edyegu
Not a single mourner who came forth to give an eulogy about the account of his life walked away without mentioning the words “peaceful†and “pillar of good leadership†to describe him.
It became apparent at the burial of Hajji Umar Okodel in Kapokina village, Atutur sub-county, Kumi district, that in his demise, death had, once again, robbed the country of a key player in national development.
Born Shadrack Okodel to Anglican parents Isaiah Oonyu and Sarah Aimo 66 years ago, Okodel convinced his parents to allow him convert to Islam in 1965. His brother, Jaffar Oonyu, says Okodel was the first Muslim in Atutur sub-county. He also converted most of his siblings and residents in the sub-county to Islam.
But on November 19, 2008, Okodel succumbed to liver and kidney complications at Mulago Hospital. At the time of his death, Okodel was the Atutur sub-county National Resistance Movement chairperson.
From his childhood, Okodel’s down-to-earth character and resilience in the face of difficulties won him a great number of admirers. For this reason, when his father passed away, he had already made a secret will, naming Okodel as his heir.
“He left him with 54 orphans and six widows and directed him to take care of 86 more orphans belonging to some of his late uncles. This was a great burden to shoulder but he never, at any time ,disappointed his father,†Oonyu , remarked.
Whereas such huge responsibility may have toned him down, it seems to have prepared Okodel for demanding leadership tasks later in life.
When he joined the Uganda People’s Army, a ragtag rebel group led by Hitler Eregu which fought against President Yoweri Museveni’s regime in Teso in the 1980s, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a political commissar.
In 1988, Okodel was torn between surrendering to a regime he had opposed and pursuing the course of the rebellion that looked to be headed nowhere. He chose the former and immediately started mobilising his colleagues who were still in the bush to quit armed rebellion.
State minister for disaster preparedness and refugees Musa Ecweru says Okodel did all this at the risk of his life and property, considering that some remnants of the rebellion still preferred to fight on. “Because he loved peace and saw the suffering of the people in the camps throughout Teso, he chose to ignore several threats to his life and continued to woo all those who were still in the bush to come out. Okodel was the first person to get in touch with the 3rd Division intelligence officer, Capt. Charles Angina (now Brigadier and army Chief-of-Staff), to initiate dialogue with the Government,†Ecweru said at the burial in Atutur.
In 1991, Okodel joined active politics and was elected the LC5 chairperson of Kumi. He served for two terms and voluntarily retired in 2001.
“While handing over the office to me, Okodel gave me one vital piece of advice that I still recall to date — ‘keep the people well’! He hated to see people suffering. He was an adviser and a selfless leader who helped to build institutions of democracy in the region. In 10 years, I promise to emulate him and resign this office,†Ismail Orot, the Kumi LC5 chairperson, said.
Just when Okodel thought he had put his house in order and started to enjoy his retirement, disaster once again struck the Teso sub-region that urgently begged for his input. The Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, led by Joseph Kony, attacked Teso in 2003 forcing several people into camps.
Together with leaders such as the former health state minister, Mike Mukula and Ecweru, Okodel mobilised the youth in the region to join the Arrow Boys militia that repulsed the rebels from Teso.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, described Okodel as a fearless fighter whose efforts sped up the pacification process of the region.
“He sailed through the most difficult situations with bravery. We, therefore, encourage the youth to emulate such leadership skills in order to promote peace and development in the area,†Nyakairima said in a message read by the army chief of staff, Brig. Charles Angina.
In a message read at the burial by the third deputy premier, Kirunda Kivejinja, President Yoweri Museveni described Okodel as a gallant politician and a pillar of the National Resistance Movement in Teso, who worked tirelessly for both the party and the people.
“Through his outstanding leadership, Okodel brought peace to Teso sub-region. He blended leadership with distinguished entrepreneurship skills. He will be missed by the business community. His demise has dealt a blow to the NRM party both at the region and nationwide. He will be difficult to replace,†Museveni said.
The President said Okodel was an instrumental political link between the NRM and the people of Teso. Okodel began his educational journey at Bukedea Primary School and later joined Soroti. S.S for his secondary education. He attained a diploma in Bookkeeping and Accounting by correspondence from the London College.
He is survived by seven widows, 53 children and 48 grand children and great grand children.
Not a single mourner who came forth to give an eulogy about the account of his life walked away without mentioning the words “peaceful†and “pillar of good leadership†to describe him.
It became apparent at the burial of Hajji Umar Okodel in Kapokina village, Atutur sub-county, Kumi district, that in his demise, death had, once again, robbed the country of a key player in national development.
Born Shadrack Okodel to Anglican parents Isaiah Oonyu and Sarah Aimo 66 years ago, Okodel convinced his parents to allow him convert to Islam in 1965. His brother, Jaffar Oonyu, says Okodel was the first Muslim in Atutur sub-county. He also converted most of his siblings and residents in the sub-county to Islam.
But on November 19, 2008, Okodel succumbed to liver and kidney complications at Mulago Hospital. At the time of his death, Okodel was the Atutur sub-county National Resistance Movement chairperson.
From his childhood, Okodel’s down-to-earth character and resilience in the face of difficulties won him a great number of admirers. For this reason, when his father passed away, he had already made a secret will, naming Okodel as his heir.
“He left him with 54 orphans and six widows and directed him to take care of 86 more orphans belonging to some of his late uncles. This was a great burden to shoulder but he never, at any time ,disappointed his father,†Oonyu , remarked.
Whereas such huge responsibility may have toned him down, it seems to have prepared Okodel for demanding leadership tasks later in life.
When he joined the Uganda People’s Army, a ragtag rebel group led by Hitler Eregu which fought against President Yoweri Museveni’s regime in Teso in the 1980s, he quickly rose through the ranks to become a political commissar.
In 1988, Okodel was torn between surrendering to a regime he had opposed and pursuing the course of the rebellion that looked to be headed nowhere. He chose the former and immediately started mobilising his colleagues who were still in the bush to quit armed rebellion.
State minister for disaster preparedness and refugees Musa Ecweru says Okodel did all this at the risk of his life and property, considering that some remnants of the rebellion still preferred to fight on. “Because he loved peace and saw the suffering of the people in the camps throughout Teso, he chose to ignore several threats to his life and continued to woo all those who were still in the bush to come out. Okodel was the first person to get in touch with the 3rd Division intelligence officer, Capt. Charles Angina (now Brigadier and army Chief-of-Staff), to initiate dialogue with the Government,†Ecweru said at the burial in Atutur.
In 1991, Okodel joined active politics and was elected the LC5 chairperson of Kumi. He served for two terms and voluntarily retired in 2001.
“While handing over the office to me, Okodel gave me one vital piece of advice that I still recall to date — ‘keep the people well’! He hated to see people suffering. He was an adviser and a selfless leader who helped to build institutions of democracy in the region. In 10 years, I promise to emulate him and resign this office,†Ismail Orot, the Kumi LC5 chairperson, said.
Just when Okodel thought he had put his house in order and started to enjoy his retirement, disaster once again struck the Teso sub-region that urgently begged for his input. The Lord’s Resistance Army rebels, led by Joseph Kony, attacked Teso in 2003 forcing several people into camps.
Together with leaders such as the former health state minister, Mike Mukula and Ecweru, Okodel mobilised the youth in the region to join the Arrow Boys militia that repulsed the rebels from Teso.
The UPDF Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Aronda Nyakairima, described Okodel as a fearless fighter whose efforts sped up the pacification process of the region.
“He sailed through the most difficult situations with bravery. We, therefore, encourage the youth to emulate such leadership skills in order to promote peace and development in the area,†Nyakairima said in a message read by the army chief of staff, Brig. Charles Angina.
In a message read at the burial by the third deputy premier, Kirunda Kivejinja, President Yoweri Museveni described Okodel as a gallant politician and a pillar of the National Resistance Movement in Teso, who worked tirelessly for both the party and the people.
“Through his outstanding leadership, Okodel brought peace to Teso sub-region. He blended leadership with distinguished entrepreneurship skills. He will be missed by the business community. His demise has dealt a blow to the NRM party both at the region and nationwide. He will be difficult to replace,†Museveni said.
The President said Okodel was an instrumental political link between the NRM and the people of Teso. Okodel began his educational journey at Bukedea Primary School and later joined Soroti. S.S for his secondary education. He attained a diploma in Bookkeeping and Accounting by correspondence from the London College.
He is survived by seven widows, 53 children and 48 grand children and great grand children.