Fallen minister Max Omeda 'had Teso at heart'

DEATH

SOROTI - Max Hebron Omeda, a former minister of state for housing and later state minister for health and general duties, has died at the age of 73.

He died Wednesday at Soroti Referral Hospital where he was admitted for one day.

His nephew Stephen Ochola, who is a former MP for Serere County, said Omeda felt unwell on Tuesday.

"He was vomitting blood, so we rushed him to the main hospital, where he was put on transfusion," he said.

"On Wednesday afternoon, his condition worsened and he died not long after," added Ochola.

He revealed that doctors who attended to the former minister had not yet established what caused him to vomit blood.

The late Omax Omeda is pictured (middle) with Maj. Betty Akello (left) and presidential advisor Capt. John Emily Otekat back in the day in Serere district. (File photo by Godfrey Ojore)

'Focused leader' - the tributes

Teso is mourning the death of one of its own, with people describing him as a statesman, peacemaker and team builder.

"It is sad that he has passed on at a time we still needed him to advise us, the leaders," said Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party President Patrick Amuriat Oboi.

"He was a focused leader who had Teso at heart."

NRM vice-chairman for eastern region Capt. Mike Mukula said that the party has lost one of its greatest supporters, a patriot and a nationalist.

"The region has lost a resourceful and harworking person, an NRM cadre, pillar of the family and state, who never tired in his quest to foster for peace in the country," said Mukula.

Retired bishop of Soroti, Dr. Charles Obaikol Ebitu, said Omeda's contribution to the peace in Teso is immeasurable.

Omeda and other Iteso formed the Uganda People's Army (UPA), which, he said at the time, was purely formed for self-defense from the forces that were hunting him and others.

2004: Gulu RDC Max Omeda (L) geets former LRA chief advisor, Brig. Banya at Gulu Uhuru Day celebrations while the commanding officer of UPDF's  4th Division, Col. Nathan Mugisha looks on. (Photo by Dennis Ojwee)

November 2004: Gulu RDC Max Omeda (left) flags off a group of 18 people for a race walk at Lacor Hospital, about eight kilometres west of Gulu town to mark the celebration of World Diabetes Day in Gulu. Twelve UPDF soldiers participated in the competition. (Photo by Cornelius Lubangakene)

July 2006: Soroti Resident District Commisioner Max Omeda (left) and Teso College head teacher, James Akabwai, gesture during the school visitation day. (Photo by Charles Opolot)

September 2008: Amuria resident district commissioner Max Omeda loads his resettlement package he received  from the Amnesty Commission in Mbale on September 16, 2008.  Omeda, a former rebel of Uganda People's Army that operated in Teso in late 80s, also received an Amnesty Certificate. (Photo by Daniel Edyegu)

2010: The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, RDC of Serere, Max Omeda and Regional Police Commander Mid-Eastern, Alisaon Agaba (L) talking to fishermen at Garama landing site, Pingire sub-county in Serere district where he impounded two illegal fishing nets. (Photo by Simon Nauelele)