Singer thrills Gulu revellers
Jan 02, 2003
UK-based singer Roselyn Storm Otim lived up to her name on new year’s eve. She kicked LRA chief Joseph Kony’s rebels out of Gulu with a sparkling show at Pece Stadium, even though for just a day.
By Caroline Lamwaka and James Odong
UK-based singer Roselyn Storm Otim lived up to her name on new year’s eve. She kicked LRA chief Joseph Kony’s rebels out of Gulu with a sparkling show at Pece Stadium, even though for just a day.
Otim’s music temporarily broke the cycle of violence, killings, grief and suffering that has dogged the region for a decade and a half.
Residents said Otim gave them a reason to smile and an unprecedented ray of hope for a people used to the discordant bursts of gunfire all year round.
Singing in Acholi, Otim set the crowd wild with hits such as Nyeko Oleyo Oda (jealousy has displaced me from the house).
Hundreds failed to squeeze into the 25,000-capacity stadium and stayed on the fence. Gulu district Police chief Alfred Bitwire said 30,000 people attended the show from 9:00pm till dawn.
Gulu resident district commissioner Max Omeda who attended, praised Otim for the special new year fete for the suffering people.
“Roselyn made the ultimate contribution to the peace process through her message of peace. The rebels whom I am sure attended the show must be digesting the message and planning to quit the bush,†he said.
He said Otim must have disarmed the rebels with her show, saying the rebels forgot to carry out any attack.
The show, however, started seven hours late due to the delay to deliver the equipment including a heavy-duty generator from the United Kingdom.
Otim is conducting more shows throughout the country to raise funds for the disadvantaged children in northern Uganda.
High profile officials present included army commander James Kazini, 4th Division commander Col. Andrew Guti and LC5 chief Walter Ochora and MP Odonga.
UK-based singer Roselyn Storm Otim lived up to her name on new year’s eve. She kicked LRA chief Joseph Kony’s rebels out of Gulu with a sparkling show at Pece Stadium, even though for just a day.
Otim’s music temporarily broke the cycle of violence, killings, grief and suffering that has dogged the region for a decade and a half.
Residents said Otim gave them a reason to smile and an unprecedented ray of hope for a people used to the discordant bursts of gunfire all year round.
Singing in Acholi, Otim set the crowd wild with hits such as Nyeko Oleyo Oda (jealousy has displaced me from the house).
Hundreds failed to squeeze into the 25,000-capacity stadium and stayed on the fence. Gulu district Police chief Alfred Bitwire said 30,000 people attended the show from 9:00pm till dawn.
Gulu resident district commissioner Max Omeda who attended, praised Otim for the special new year fete for the suffering people.
“Roselyn made the ultimate contribution to the peace process through her message of peace. The rebels whom I am sure attended the show must be digesting the message and planning to quit the bush,†he said.
He said Otim must have disarmed the rebels with her show, saying the rebels forgot to carry out any attack.
The show, however, started seven hours late due to the delay to deliver the equipment including a heavy-duty generator from the United Kingdom.
Otim is conducting more shows throughout the country to raise funds for the disadvantaged children in northern Uganda.
High profile officials present included army commander James Kazini, 4th Division commander Col. Andrew Guti and LC5 chief Walter Ochora and MP Odonga.