Oketta's final moments alive

Nov 07, 2016

"On Friday, he came back home at about 7:00pm. He greeted us and said his prayers."

MAJ. GEN. JULIUS OKETTA: 1956 - 2016

KAMPALA - Parliament will today hold a special sitting to honour former legislator Maj. Gen. Dr Julius Oketta, the deputy chairman of the Operation Wealth Creation, who died Saturday.

The widow, Stella Oketta, has revealed her husband's final moments alive. She told New Vision the army man had been healthy and strong until early Saturday.

"On Friday, he came back home at about 7:00pm. He greeted us, said his prayers and joined us at the dining table for tea.

"He later watched news on TV, up to around 10:00pm. He then told me that he had watched the news he wanted and went to sleep," she said.

"I told him that I wanted to first read something and he said it was okay. At about 2:00am, I went to bed. Moments later, he woke up, held my hands tightly and I realised that he was unwell. I telephoned his sister and told her that the general was not feeling well."

Prime minister Ruhakana Rugunda consoles Stella at her home in Wakiso on Sunday. (Credit: Kennedy Oryema)


Stella went on to explain that they decided to take him to Nakasero Hospital, but on the way, he grabbed her chest, which forced them to branch off to Kadic Hospital in Bukoto.

"The doctors responded very fast and connected him to oxygen, but after about two hours, his head slumped and the doctors told us that he was dead. It is a shock. The only thing he talked about the previous day was a cough," said the grieving widow.

Oketta is survived by nine children and a wife.

Meanwhile, UPDF spokesperson, Lt. Col. Paddy Ankunda, said after Parliament, vigil will be at the deceased's home in Kira town council, Wakiso district.

The army has organised a requiem mass Tuesday beginning at 10:00am at Our Lady of Africa Church, Mbuya.

Between 4:00pm and 5:00pm, the body will lie in state at Gulu district Council Hall.

Burial is set for Wednesday at Maj. Gen. Oketta's ancestral home in Pabo village, Gulu, starting at 10:00am.

CLICK HERE to read full tribute to the fallen Ugandan soldier

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