Otti’s relatives seek govt assistance

Nov 25, 2007

Relatives of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) deputy commander, Vincent Otti, have asked the Government and the United Nations Peace Mission in the DR Congo to help them recover his body.

By Caroline Ayugi and Cornes Lubangakene

Relatives of Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) deputy commander, Vincent Otti, have asked the Government and the United Nations Peace Mission in the DR Congo to help them recover his body.

They say they want to accord the fallen rebel, allegedly murdered by his boss, Joseph Kony, a decent burial.

Otti’s uncle Flamingo Oyenga, 62, told The New Vision at his home in Atiak on Friday that he lacked the means to get the fallen rebel’s corpse from the DR Congo.

“If the United Nations can get me his body, I will bury him. And like Raska Lukwiya’s relatives were helped finacially, I appeal to the Government to facilitate Otti’s burial because I don’t have the means.”

Lukwiya was the third highest ranking leader of the LRA.
He was killed while fighting the UPDF on August 12, 2006.

Otti’s cousin, Martin Obalo, said: “It is true Otti committed terrible atrocities, but the Government should help and bring his body.

“The choice remains with the Government. If it decides to help, well and good.

“If they don’t, then so be it, since he was a rebel.”

Oyenga also appealed to the Government to support Otti’s children complete their education.

Admitting that he does not know how many children Otti had, Oyenga said the Government should in particular assist Otti’s son at Makerere University, whom he allegedly sought to talk to before he was killed.

“The children are innocent. Much as their father was fighting against the Government, they should be supported to finish their education.”

Asked what impact his nephew’s death had on him, Oyenga answered: “I am a strong-hearted man. I know that the end of human life is death and one who joins the army knows he will die.

“Otti died in the struggle for leadership. The only sad bit is that he was allegedly killed by his colleague in their joint struggle, not in a battle.”

The New Vision last week reported three LRA defectors, Richard Okema, Sunday Otto and Odong Kau had confirmed Otti’s death.

They said other commanders killed on October 2 on Kony’s orders were Ben Acellam, Otim ‘Record’ and Swaib Adjumani.

However, in an earlier phone conversation with the Gulu LC5 chairman, Norbert Mao, Kony reportedly said he had placed Otti under house arrest after accusing him of working with ‘enemies of the LRA’ and plotting to kill him (Kony).

Kony also claimed he had relieved the defectors of their positions.

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