Daudi Ochieng was a nationalist - Katikkiro
Caps: Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga (L)hands over a portrait of Kabaka Mutesa II and Kabaka Yekka secretary general Daudi Ochieng, to Ochieng’s children at his 50th memorial in Gulu on Wednesday. PHOTO BY Cissy Makumbi.
What you need to know:
Unifying factor. The Katikkiro says Ochieng defended Buganda interests
GULU.
Buganda Kingdom Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga has described Daudi Ochieng as a true nationalist who exhibited the qualities of a good leader.
Speaking at the 50th memorial of Ochieng in Aworanga village, Ongako Sub-county in Gulu district on Wednesday, the Katikkiro noted that Ochieng defended Buganda kingdom interests in Parliament faithfully without any fear.
“It gives me great pleasure to stand on this soil that bore this great nationalist. He was loved in Buganda, but much loved at his native place Acholi,” Mr Mayiga said.
“We only wonder what this great man would have achieved for Uganda, if the hands of fate had not taken him in the prime of his life,” he told the congregation that gathered at the post-colonial MP’s home in solemn remembrance.
“As we gather here today, we have fond memories of a true a nationalist who teaches us that to be an Acholi doesn’t stop you from loving a Muganda and to be a patriot, we need to erase our distinct backgrounds,” Mr Mayiga said.
Acholi Paramount Chief, Rwot David Onen Acan II, lauded Buganda kingdom for the gesture, adding that the doors are open for them in the region. “The visit of Buganda Katikkiro is not only for the Ochieng family and his clan but to the entire Acholi as a region and with this the relationship will be strengthened,” Rwot Acan said.
Ocheng’s eldest daughter, Ms Tophie Ochieng, said there is need to revive the love the Buganda kingdom had with the late Ochieng. “There is need to revive and rebuild the relationship with Buganda Kingdom,” she said.
President Museveni, who was represented by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, asked the children of Ochieng to identify any project to which he would contribute Shs20m.
About Daudi Ochieng
Daudi Ochieng was born in 1925 to Rwot Lacito Oketch from the clan of Temajo and died in 1966. He died a sitting member of parliament for Mityana.
He was also secretary general Kabaka Yekka, a political party that was headed by the then Kabaka of Buganda.
He was a member of the Buganda Lukiiko in 1962. His election as a member of the Lukiiko was a reward he earned for his architect role that brought unification between Kabaka Yekka and the Uganda Peoples Congress Party (UPC) that led to formation of the first independent Ugandan government on October 10, 1962.
Ochieng was one of the three non-Buganda along with Visram, an Asian, and James Simpson to serve as members of the Buganda Lukiiko at the National Assembly.
Ochieng was also a brave politician who shook Uganda’s politics on February 4, 1966, when he moved a motion on the Congo Gold loot scandal implicating former prime minister Apollo Milton Obote and the deputy army commander Col Idi Amin. Uganda army led by Idi Amin who had fought a war against Moise Tshombe’s fighters were accused of looting gold.
