Leaders from the Acholi region have mourned the demise of Maj Gen Julius Oketta, 60, the former Deputy Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation who passed on Saturday morning from Kadic Hospital in Kampala. Cause of death was a heart attack.
Gen Oketta’s personal assistant Capt David Livingstone Okumu said Oketta was rushed to hospital at 3am after suffering heart complication and was pronounced dead at 5am.
“It’s true we have lost Gen Oketta. His body is still at the Hospital morgue. Anytime his body will be taken to his home in Kampala,” Capt Okumu told Acholi Times by phone on Saturday.
The deceased at the time of his death was serving as the Director National Emergency Coordination and Operations in the Office of the Prime Minister.
In his home village of Parubanga Bira in Pabbo Sub-county Amuru district, news of Gen Oketta’s death was received with shock.
Local leaders in Amuru and northern Uganda described the deceased as a person who worked hard to defend the land rights of local communities in Amuru from vested interests.
“The demise of Gen Oketta is a big shock to the people of Amuru district. He was our only ally close to the state who could convince the government on matters regarding land,” Mr Lakony told Acholi Times.
Gulu District Chairperson Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi said, “We are saddened by news od Oketta’s death. It is a terrible blow to us in the region. Just recently, we had some discussion on how we could turn around the Operation wealth Creation project to be a real success story in Gulu but unfortunately this may not happen,” Mapenduzi said.
Mapenduzi described the deceased as a committed person and easily approachable.
Agago North Member of Parliament Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo said the demise of Gen Oketta is a tragedy for the region.
“The deceased was a decent and dedicated to his work and above all he wanted to advance himself in life through studies,” Prof Latigo said.
Gulu woman Member Of Parliament Betty AOL Ochan said Oketta was a ‘‘key pillar’’ in northern Uganda.
About Gen Oketta
Gen Oketta served as the Division Commander of the 6th Division of the National Resistance Army [NRA] from 1989 to 1993.
In 2001 until 2003, he served as the Chief of Logistics and Engineering in the UPDF before serving as the Ugandan Liaison Officer in the Republic of Sudan.
He was awarded a medal of honor by the president of of Liberia for his role in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
2 Comments
This is bad news. Ngo ma tye ka timme i kom jowa madito? Dano gitye kato atura lipip ki two adunu, acwiny, cukari…?
It is the Government’s poor Health Care support and Weaknesses for the Army Generals duty of Care that caused unknown death.
May I expressed my Heartfelt condolence to the Family,Relatives and friends,and may the mourners remain Strong as they wait to receive the Body at his ancestral Land at Parubanga,Pabbo Sub County,Amuru District.
“Dr.Maj.Gen.J.Oketta was a UPDF General who formed the Foundation of the Professional Ugandan Soldiers Services.He lived a Healthy exciting life while achieving Vital Skills that he served them throughout his careers.with varying educational qualifications,interest and abilities.
God knows why he choose my Brother to passed with Cardiac arrest…He is the 2nd General to die of Heart attack(Two adunu) Are we sure???”.