The family of the late Inspector General of Police Lt. Col. Wilson Erinayo Oryema have through court recovered 6,000 acres of family land in Nwoya district which had been sold off by the administrator of the family estate.
The land was sold in 2006 by the eldest daughter of the late Erinayo Oryema, Gertrude Oryema who until the court ruling was the administrator of the estate.
Gertrude Oryema who for long periods of time once resided at Acholi Inn Hotel in Gulu reportedly sold off the land to a senior military officer in northern Uganda and his brother, also a well-known public figure.
The land is located in Tangi village, Purongo Sub-county, Nwoya district.
The sale of the land, however, angered the rest of the family members who through Oringa Emmanuel and Betty Otim Oryema sought redress in court in 2010 under suite number 0392010.
The court battle over the family estate raged on in court for six years.
However, in an order issued yesterday by the Gulu high court registrar, court decreed that the 6,000 acres of land be reverted to the family of the late Erinayo Oryema.
Court also revoked the letter of administration that was granted to Gertrude Auma Oryema over her mismanagement of the estate.
The latest order followed an April ruling by Gulu high court judge, Justice John Eudes Keitrima which found that Gertrude Auma Oryema’s action of selling the family land was inconsistent with the letter of administration of the estate.
Jude Ogik of Ogik and Co Advocates, the lawyer who represented aggrieved members of the Oryema family said the ruling and court order means that all transactions done by Auma were null and void.
The Gulu high court also ordered that Auma must tender in court a true account of property and income earned from the estate. The court dismissed Auma’s counter claim with costs.
On the remaining part of the estate, court directed the office of Administrator General to divide it among beneficiary excluding those who mismanaged it.
Gertrude Auma Oryema who was represented by M/S Amolo &Co. Advocates did not appear in court and the ruling was made in her absence.
Omony Oryema, a grandchild of the late Oryema said on phone from London that he was excited by the court ruling and happy that the matter which has run on for years in court has now been resolved.
‘‘We as the 3rd generation have been eager to develop the land but we faced an obstacle that has now been resolved,’’ Omony said on phone.
Omony said besides recovery of the family land, the family of Oryema also want to be compensated for property that was looted from the farm.
‘‘We had 2,600 cattle in the farm, three tractors and fuel tanks—all that was lost—we would like to be compensated by government,’’ Omony said.
The late Erinayo Wilson Oryema was Uganda’s first African Inspector General of Police. He served between 1964 and 1971. He also served as the Minister of Land, Mineral, and Water Resources between 1971 and 1974. He was also the Minister of Land, Housing and Physical Planning between 1974 to1977.
In February 1977, Oryema, together with Archbishop Janani Luwum and Interior Minister Charles Oboth Ofumbi, were murdered by security forces of the government of President Idi Amin.
In May 2014, as part 100 years of service of Uganda Police Force, the current Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura announced the rectification campaign to make good what was done wrong in the past, saying among others that the late IGP Erinayo Oryema would be given a proper burial at his ancestral home with full honors.
The State reburial took place in September 2014 at his home in Purongo village, Nwoya District and was attended by President Yoweri Museveni and police boss Kale Kayihura.
6 Comments
Is there a gag order on the media as regards disclosing the name of the army officer and his brother?
There’s two sides to every story…as one told His Excellency YK Museveni at the reburial in 2014, when they tried to raise the issue. Oryema’s estate extends far beyond Tangi. There was the house he built in Nakasero, a lorry and a trailer, bank accounts and shares in Pepsi Cola. Who sold those? and the petrol tank? I
t was his son Dwoka who sold it, not so? it’s in Gulu now, let’s trace the sale, shall we?
Court records can be accessed by the public by right – in due course anyone interested in this case, will have access to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of everything.
It would appear the writer of this post was only interested in what he or she was encouraged to say from one individual who was not even old enough to remember Oryema, and has not taken time to read the submissions of the other side. There are many inflammatory allegations and incorrect information here; and whilst silence is the only dignified way to address nonsense, in a growing world where technology is ingrained and for the purpose of people reading this in years to come – I shall be commenting on this, to get another prospective – keeping it to the truth and I do so only for the love of a beloved grandfather, a man who gave every single working day of his life to serving our wonderful Uganda, and had his life cut short in a brutal manner, and a man who I spent lot of time in his presence and know to be a wonderful and thoughtful human being who never aired his personal business in the public domain or with extended family. He would meet and discuss discipline with his children as any good responsible father would and evidence in his writing with his signature is available, where he names those children who mismanage and he appointed his eldest child as chairman to help resolve the matters faced, has been submitted in court as part of proceedings but not yet been addressed.
As family, we should always continue to maintain his legacy in a respectful and positive manner, yet very few (I repeat – very few) of his children and no more than a few fingers on one hand of his grandchildren, continue to tarnish and cause him embarrassment on the internet – never once coming out to speak for him in a positive nature nor add to his legacy.
The truth be it painful will come out eventually. Those who love him, have respect for how we deal with challenging matters and will continue to uphold his legacy in the manner that befits him and we will try do so with great dignity. With regard to what has been posted as ‘news’ – this is what I will say: it is a family dispute and yes, it has been in court for many years (and a huge problem since his death) and contrary to what this post indicates, the matter has not yet been resolved completely. Uganda has a legal system and there are procedures to follow. An appeal was filed and awaiting serving on Monday.
This is not unusual, many families in Uganda have ended up in court where a will has not been put in place, and it does take time. In this case, both sides have not had their day in court. This post chooses to defame one side, all family members are aware that the land in question was mortgaged and lost by certain family members (all documented and Gertrude Auma Oryema was not involved in the mismanagement and defaulting of the load of which the farm was collateral). Under desperate measures with the farm now placed on the auction list with a sealed bidder, Gertrude Auma Oryema not only sold everything (a 1,200-acre farm for less the value to get the funds quickly) she owned to pay back the bank (and she has the receipt to prove it), she threatened to disrobe for the bank manager in his office, if he did not accept the payment as alone, she tried to save her father’s grave (as a now deceased prominent person at that time had lined himself to take the farm). Receipts to show had much she contributed to her father when he was working hard to create what he owned are available and six witnesses still alive. She has accountability for the support, transport, money and food grown on the farm given throughout the years she has given to majority of her siblings (if not all) both when Oryema was alive and as recent as last week. She was in court when this ruling was made (this post has lied to sensationalise) and not once in the six years has she had the opportunity to speak and present her submissions in the courtroom. All the while she has remained quiet and not attacked any family members in the media nor responded to their attacks. She is the reason, the grandparents are now united in death, worked tirelessly to bring about the reburials and she continues to maintain their resting place with no regular impute from her brothers and sisters (some grandchildren, a sister and sister in law have made contributions). Not all family members are participating in this hatred posted here – only a few under the umbrella of the title ‘the Oryema family’ – most family members continue to interact as family members and often visit, email or speak on the phone to each other including with Gertrude Auma Oryema. This land is not the only thing Oryema worked hard for and left – every family member must now account for what they sold and decisions of how to move forward completed. It is a pity that this is being played out in the media brought on by no more than as I said before a few family members – however, it is a Uganda High court matter and an immediate family matter only. There will need to be an audit and all parties involved should be informed with the truth and only facts. We (descendants of E.W. Oryema who are respectful and grateful) continue to thank the President of Uganda, the government of Uganda, The Inspector General of the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Police for the support given and continued comradeship and respect for Erinayo Wilson Oryema. Know that now as we come to terms with the manner of his death, we know as a family we will resolve the turmoil brought about by this tragic murder and eventually move on to rehabilitate in order to make a positive and sound contribution not only to keeping his legacy in line with his dedication/sacrifice/service to his country, but contribution favourably to the community and in turn participate in building the Uganda we are determined to have, for God and our Country.
Court records can be accessed by the public by right – in due course anyone interested in this case, will have access to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth of everything.
It would appear the writer of this post was only interested in what he or she was encouraged to say from one individual who was not even old enough to remember Oryema, and has not taken time to read the submissions of the other side.
There are many inflammatory allegations and incorrect information here; and whilst silence is the only dignified way to address nonsense, in a growing world where technology is ingrained and for the purpose of people reading this in years to come. I shall be commenting on this, to get another prospective read – keeping it to the truth. I do so only for the love of a beloved grandfather, a man who gave every single working day of his life to serving our wonderful Uganda, and had his life cut short in a brutal manner. I spent lot of time in his presence and know him to be a wonderful and thoughtful human being who never aired his personal business in the public domain, nor with extended family. He would meet and discuss discipline with his children as any good responsible father would and this is evident in a letter he wrote and signed, where he names those children who he wanted to do better, and he appointed his eldest child as chairman to help resolve the matters faced. This has been submitted in court as part of proceedings but not yet been addressed.
As family, we should always continue to maintain his legacy in a respectful and positive manner, yet very few (I repeat – very few) of his children and no more than a few fingers on one hand count of his grandchildren, continue to tarnish and cause him embarrassment on the internet – never once coming out to speak for him in a positive nature nor add to his legacy.
The truth be it painful, will come out eventually. Those who love him, have respect for how we deal with challenging matters and will continue to uphold his legacy in the manner that befits him and try to do so with great dignity. With regard to what has been posted as ‘news’ – this is what I will say: it is a family dispute and yes, it has been in court for many years (and a huge problem since his death). Contrary to what this post indicates, the matter has not yet been resolved completely. Uganda has a legal system and there are procedures to follow. An appeal was filed and awaiting serving on Monday.
This is not unusual, many families in Uganda have ended up in court where a will has not been put in place, and it does take time to resolve. In this case, both sides have not had their day in court. This post chooses to defame one side, all family members are aware that the land in question was mortgaged and lost by certain family members (all documented and Gertrude Auma Oryema was not involved in the mismanagement and defaulting of the loan of which the farm was collateral). Under desperate measures with the farm now placed on the auction list with a sealed bidder, Gertrude Auma Oryema not only sold everything she owned (including a 1,200-acre farm for less the value to get the funds quickly) with the receipt to prove it, she threatened to disrobe for the bank manager in his office, if he did not accept the payment as alone. She did so alone, to save her father’s grave (as a now deceased prominent person at that time had lined himself to take the farm). Receipts to show had much she contributed to her father when he was working hard to create what he owned are available and six witnesses still alive. She has accountability for the support, transport, money and food grown on the farm given throughout the years she has given to majority of her siblings (if not all) both when Oryema was alive and as recent as last week. She was in court when this ruling was made (this post has lied to sensationalise) and not once in the six years has she had the opportunity to speak and present her submissions in the courtroom. All the while she has remained quiet and not attacked any family members in the media nor responded to their attacks.
She is the reason, the grandparents are now united in death, worked tirelessly to bring about the reburials for both parents and she continues to maintain their resting place with no regular impute from her brothers and sisters (some grandchildren, a sister and sister in law have made some contributions). Not all family members are participating in this hatred posted here – only a few under the umbrella of the title ‘the Oryema family’ – most family members continue to interact as family members and often visit, email or speak on the phone to each other including with Gertrude Auma Oryema. This land is not the only thing Oryema worked hard for and left – every family member must now account for what they sold and decisions of how to move forward completed. It is a pity that this is being played out in the media; brought on by no more than as I said before a few family members – however, it is a Uganda High court matter and an immediate family matter too only. There will need to be an audit and all parties involved should be informed with the truth and only facts. We (descendants of E.W. Oryema who are respectful and grateful) continue to thank the President of Uganda, the government of Uganda, The Inspector General of the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Police for the support given and continued comradeship and respect for Erinayo Wilson Oryema. Know that now as we come to terms with the manner of his death, we know as a family we will resolve the turmoil brought about by this tragic murder and eventually move on to rehabilitate in order to make a positive and sound contribution not only to keeping his legacy in line with his dedication/sacrifice/service to his country, but contribution favourably to the community and in turn participate in building the Uganda we are determined to have, for God and our Country.
o
The Uganda Police 100th Year centenary Celebrations in 2014, did not only bring the family home (some for the first time) but was also instrumental in initiating the process of reconciliation within the family.
The entire members of the Oryema family continues to commend the good work the government is doing to move Uganda and its people forward. Justice will always prevail, as this case stands to highlight issues of land grabbing and disputes within families across the region.
The Oryema family will forever be grateful to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the honourable Inspector General Of Uganda Police General Kale Kayihura for honouring our father, Uganda’s first black IGP, the late Lt. Col Erinayo Wilson Oryema with a decent reburial at his home in Tangi, Nwoya district.
What happened to the forest Land at Lututuru? Because it is sitting on mineral rich Got Lututuru, I trust the Govt has swallowed it except in a rush. NO Land outside Buganda (they signed the 1900 agreement – Bunyoro, Acoli, Lango, Bukedi etc never signded) can be grabbed just like that. I will open the case to prove that the name “UGANDA” refers only to Buganda according to the 1900 agreement.