Museveni approves return of ex-Obote minister Otai

In exile. Former Uganda People’s Army (UPA) rebel leader and minister in Obote’s government Peter Otai has been granted permission to return home. FILE PHOTO 

In Summary

• President Museveni’s press secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, could not comment on the progress of Mr Otai’s request saying he was upcountry.
• Mr Francis Malinga, who is Otai’s contact person, said President Museveni on August 18, 2018, wrote to him telling him to work with Dr Rugunda for Otai’s return.

By ANDREW BAGALA

Kampala. Former Uganda People’s Army (UPA) rebel leader Peter Otai has sought President Museveni’s assurance to return home, which has been granted. However, his home coming, hangs in the balance for lack of money to facilitate his travel.

Mr Otai, who was once a minister in the Milton Obote II government in the 1980s, established a rebel group in eastern Uganda in 1987 and operated up to 1992. He was the Minister of state for Defence from 1981 until the military coup that over threw Obote in 1985.
The rebellion was later ended through mediation between the National Resistance Movement government under the Teso Commission.

Mr Otai went to exile in the UK where he lives.
Tyson Iloot Otai, his son, said President Museveni sanctioned his father’s return and asked Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda to work out a plan, but it has not materialised.
“His Excellency President Museveni is an honest person. I met him at Serena Hotel in Kampala and he was happy about my father’s plan to return home. He promised several things but most of them have not been done by people around him,” Mr Iloot said yesterday.

President Museveni’s press secretary, Mr Don Wanyama, could not comment on the progress of Mr Otai’s request saying he was upcountry.
Mr Francis Malinga, who is Otai’s contact person, said President Museveni on August 18, 2018, wrote to him telling him to work with Dr Rugunda for Otai’s return.

Presidents message
President Museveni wrote: “I support the idea. The NRM never believes in revenge. Let him come. I assure him full protection and we shall not raise any of the past mistakes of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC). Reconciliation is always our preferred mode of managing affairs. Work with the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.”

Mr Malinga said he later wrote to Dr Rugunda listing eight issues that should be considered and addressed before Mr Otai returns, but none has been met.
“They haven’t sent any response,” Mr Malinga said.
The eight issues include giving five of his family members Uganda passports, facilitating his travel and support to establish where he will stay, among others.

Mr Otai was supposed to return home in November last year, but did not because of unresolved issues.
Mr Malinga now says it has taken him more than 15 years to convince Mr Otai to return home.
“He didn’t believe that there was stability in the country until I talked to him several times that he will not be harmed,” he said.

BACKGROUND

Peter Otai was born in Ngora and they shifted to Soroti Township around 76 years ago. During Milton Obote I regime, he went to United Kingdom where he studied a military course. During Obote II, he was appointed Ambassador to Ethiopia and later the State minister for Defence, which he held between 1980 and 1985. He was instrumental in the fight against the National Resistance Army rebels led by President Museveni. He was accused by the current government of being part of the government officials that carried out atrocities against civilians, especially in Luweero Triangle. When NRA rebels took over power, he went to exile in the UK. In 1987, he organised a rebel group called Uganda People’s Army, which largely comprised people from Teso sub-region. The rebel group fought against NRM government for five years until there was mediation and it was disbanded. He, however, remained in exile till now.
abagala@ug.nationmedia.com