By KT Reporter
Miria Kalule Obote, the widow of former President Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, has called on leaders of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party never to let the party die. Recently, UPC, one of Uganda’s oldest political parties, was thrown into further confusion after the Electoral Commission declared that none of the three rival factions claiming the party’s presidency is legitimate.
The former First Lady, who is also a former party president, addressed a congregation on Friday gathered for her husband’s memorial service at Abeibuti Cell, Akokoro Town Council in Apac District, where he is buried. With emotions, Miria applauded the congregation for honoring her late husband.
“Twenty years ago, we lost the father of the nation. I’m really touched that so many people have turned up to remember this day. It was a sad day for the family,” she said. Acknowledging her current health challenges, Mama Miria urged the party leadership to keep the party alive.
“And thank you very much for all your support all these years, since our late president left us. Thank you for coming today, to remember our late father, our late uncle, our late brother, our friend.” Bishop Emeritus John Charles Odur Kami preached for unity, saying that infights are unhealthy.
Relating to biblical teachings, Bishop Emeritus Alfred Acur, representing the Bishop of West Lango Diocese as the main celebrant, encouraged Ugandans to serve God honestly, believing that their families and children will inherit blessings.
He also called for unity among Ugandans and political parties.
With Jaffar Remo Idi Amin, son of the late former President Idi Amin Dada, in attendance, Bishop Acur tasked the people of Uganda—and especially Lango—to forgive and move forward.
Meanwhile, Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Apac, Richard Tabaro, acknowledged Obote’s contribution to the development of Uganda, saying his memory should not be confined only to the UPC party.
Obote, a two-time president of the Republic of Uganda, died on October 10, 2005. He led the country to independence in 1962, served as Uganda’s first Prime Minister, and later served as President twice: from 1966 until he was ousted by Idi Amin in 1971, and again from 1980 until the 1985 coup.
-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
