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Following various theories about David Oyite Ojok�s death, which
we published last Sunday, Badru Mulumba sent e-mail to Mr Peter Otai,
former State Minster for Defence at the time and asked him to explain
the mystery surrounding the tragedy. Here is Otai�s side of the
story:
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Mr Peter
Otail | The people of Uganda
and friends abroad will always remember David Oyite Ojok (RIP) as a
friendly, courteous, sociable and readily accessible person�day or
night.
His
telephone was not ex-directory and he was willing to give it to anyone
who asked for it.
Persons who
sought audience with him and vice versa included, inter alia, those in
the high echelons of authority in government, churches, workers and the
peasants.
David
interacted with people of various nationalities, tribe and any ethnic
group without discrimination. If anyone dropped onto him at his house,
one would find an array of peoples and wonder if the gatherings was not
a mini United Nations! He was truly a people�s man.
David was a
nationalist and professional soldier; he was the kind of person who
would fit the description of a soldier�s soldier. He graduated from Mons
Military academy in UK and returned to serve his country with zeal and
professionalism.
Although he
was also a Member of Parliament, this did not compromise his attitude
towards civil authority.
He was,
like many soldiers in the UNLA, aware of the fact that the army was
subordinate to civil authority.
David Oyite
Ojok�s awareness of the supremacy of civil authority is demonstrated by
the fact that when he announced the fall of Kampala to the liberation
forces, consisting of TDF, Kikosi Maalum and other Ugandan �mini� forces
like SUM and FRONASA, he also told his listeners to await for further
announcements from civil authority consistent with decisions taken at
the Moshi Conference.
I would
like to clear the spate of rumour mongering and speculation surrounding
the death of David to the best ability that I can marshal:
On the
fateful day of Oyite Ojok�s death, H.E. President Dr. A.M. Obote was in
India, having gone to moan and bury a friend and leader of government of
India, Ms Indira Ghandi.
The
President was accompanied, during that trip, by a number of officials
and ministers, including myself.
On our
return we were authoritatively briefed about the events of that day.
Notwithstanding the joy and celebrations of NRA who had claimed
that they had shot down the helicopter in which David was a passenger,
which of course they had not, we were advised to ignore that claim,
which had already been dismissed by the government authorities in Uganda
as false.
David, as
Chief of Staff, had gone to address troops who were about to mount a
major operation against NRA.
He had gone
with a number of members of his team in three helicopters. He gave an
eloquent address to the troops and settled down with them to have a few
snacks.
As the sun
was about to set, the first pilot who was ready to leave, asked him if
he intended to travel in his chopper. David gave him permission to leave
since he was still enjoying his conversation with the soldiers and men
around him.
After a
short while the second pilot approached him to find out if he would
travel with them since he was ready to leave. David said, �yes�, and
asked his ADC and Ag. Chief of Military Intelligence, Lt. Kato, to alert
his team to get ready to leave.
When they
were aboard, the pilot started the engine and the chopper lifted off to
a height from which to start to move forward.
Unfortunately the
plane started a downward spiral and crashed, not very far from the spot
it had been parked and from which it had taken off.
The
soldiers at the site tried everything to put out the flame and to save
the passengers but to no avail. The third plane was still on the
ground.
In other
words if there had been a conspiracy to kill Oyite Ojok that day, the
perpetrators would have had to rig all three choppers, since they would
not have known which chopper David was going to travel in.
Furthermore, it would have had to be rigged whilst the three
choppers were parked in front of the guards detailed to protect them!
The plane he chose to travel in was not the one he had used before
for.
From the
above explanation it is clear to me that this was a horrible accident.
An Accident that robbed off a precious jewel from the bosom of
Ugandans.
Kikosi
Maalum led by Toto Okello and Oyite Ojok were in the toughest eastern
axis with the TDF forces, which fought great battles against Idi Amin�s
forces, which were backed up by Libyans, until the capture of Kampala.
Whilst
Oyite was at the front with the TDF, Gen. Okello was at the rear
headquarters with senior TDF commanders.
As a
professional soldier cognisant of the fact that the army is subordinate
to civil authority, David could and would not and indeed did not point a
gun at the President.
If he had
done so, the close escort presidential guard, which included Tanzanian
officers depending on when the event was alleged to have occurred (since
later they the Tanzanians left) would have arrested David.
Even the
Ugandan Escorts would have arrested David if he had attempted to do such
a thing.
Furthermore
the Vice President who was minister and I as Minister of State for
Defence would have been answerable for what is alleged to have happened.
Treat the allegation as a lie.
Some of the
TDF senior officers who I interacted with before they returned to
Tanzania told me that Oyite Ojok excelled in war; he had phenomenal
ability to command, and the junior officers and men believed in him.
He had
enormous stamina and fitness, an asset, which endeared him to his men
and fellow Tanzanian commanders.
Walking all
the way from Kagera to Kampala fighting one�s way forward is not a
child�s game. It was a war of professionals not armatures, commented
some TDF officers in admiration of Oyite Ojok.
An order to
summon all ministers to report to Kampala would require a radio
announcement, which every Ugandan would have heard.
It would be
monstrous for such a public announcement, to filter to terrorist who
could have taken an advantage to way lay ministers on the way to
Kampala.
A man who
was willing to lay his life to protect life, liberty and property as
required of him by the Constitution, could not make such an order. It is
a monstrous allegation.
Despite the
occasional disturbances caused by NRA rebels at night, most Ugandans
socialised in the evenings at various dancing places.
Oyite like
many of us participated in such raves with moderation, at Kasisira,
Silver Spring hotel, Kisementi, various homes and enjoyed festivities
all over the country.
Whenever
Oyite Ojok went up country he was feted even more than ministers were,
but that did not make him pompous.
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