Otunnu return excites Acholi
ACHOLI leaders are excited about the return of the former UN diplomat, Olara Otunnu, who is expected to arrive on Saturday.
By Chris Ocowun
ACHOLI leaders are excited about the return of the former UN diplomat, Olara Otunnu, who is expected to arrive on Saturday.
At his home village in Mucwini sub-county in Kitgum district, local leaders are mobilising residents to contribute towards feeding the people who will welcome him.
“Olara Otunnu is welcome. It’s important that he comes and joins the struggle. His coming will also help to revive the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Uganda needs strong political parties. Otunnu can be a good captain of UPC,†the Gulu chairman, Norbert Mao, said.
“We have been lacking inspirational leaders and already there is excitement about Otunnu’s return,†Mao added.
The chairman of Pader district, Peter Odok W’Ocheng, said: “Otunnu is a Ugandan but his coming is none of our concern. He is coming back like any other Ugandan and we in Pader are not opposed to his coming.â€
He added that he would be happy to see all Ugandans living in the diaspora coming back to join in the reconstruction of northern Uganda.
Richard Todwong, the special presidential adviser for the north, said: “Otunnu is free to contest if he wants to get the biggest shock for himself.â€
He said the National Resistance Movement was ready to welcome Otunnu back to Uganda and advised him to go to his village in Mucwini.
Daniel Komakech of Gulu University said Otunnu’s return would balance the political scene with his international exposure.
“What I see in Otunnu’s return is a message of reconciliation. I am optimistic that he can easily help in resolving the conflict between President Yoweri Museveni and the FDC party.â€
Komakech advised the Government to allow constructive criticisms and correction.
“Otunnu should take time to understand the current political situation in Uganda. All political parties should exhibit a high level of maturity while politicking.â€
Pader district councillor for Omot sub-county Bosify Oweka said Otunnu should not run for presidency in 2011 because he did not witness the suffering of the Acholi during the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion.
“Otunnu did not even send condolence messages for the people killed by the rebels; but now that President Museveni has brought peace in the north, he wants to come and contest,†Oweka noted.
He advised Otunnu to take his time to consult the people before rushing into active politics.
ACHOLI leaders are excited about the return of the former UN diplomat, Olara Otunnu, who is expected to arrive on Saturday.
At his home village in Mucwini sub-county in Kitgum district, local leaders are mobilising residents to contribute towards feeding the people who will welcome him.
“Olara Otunnu is welcome. It’s important that he comes and joins the struggle. His coming will also help to revive the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Uganda needs strong political parties. Otunnu can be a good captain of UPC,†the Gulu chairman, Norbert Mao, said.
“We have been lacking inspirational leaders and already there is excitement about Otunnu’s return,†Mao added.
The chairman of Pader district, Peter Odok W’Ocheng, said: “Otunnu is a Ugandan but his coming is none of our concern. He is coming back like any other Ugandan and we in Pader are not opposed to his coming.â€
He added that he would be happy to see all Ugandans living in the diaspora coming back to join in the reconstruction of northern Uganda.
Richard Todwong, the special presidential adviser for the north, said: “Otunnu is free to contest if he wants to get the biggest shock for himself.â€
He said the National Resistance Movement was ready to welcome Otunnu back to Uganda and advised him to go to his village in Mucwini.
Daniel Komakech of Gulu University said Otunnu’s return would balance the political scene with his international exposure.
“What I see in Otunnu’s return is a message of reconciliation. I am optimistic that he can easily help in resolving the conflict between President Yoweri Museveni and the FDC party.â€
Komakech advised the Government to allow constructive criticisms and correction.
“Otunnu should take time to understand the current political situation in Uganda. All political parties should exhibit a high level of maturity while politicking.â€
Pader district councillor for Omot sub-county Bosify Oweka said Otunnu should not run for presidency in 2011 because he did not witness the suffering of the Acholi during the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion.
“Otunnu did not even send condolence messages for the people killed by the rebels; but now that President Museveni has brought peace in the north, he wants to come and contest,†Oweka noted.
He advised Otunnu to take his time to consult the people before rushing into active politics.