Friends For Peace In Africa

Olara Otunnu Returns

Excitement as Otunnu arrives

Monitor | August 23, 2009 | Entebbe | Angelo Izama & Richard Wanambwa

After weeks of anticipation, Dr Olara Otunnu, an ex-UN diplomat highflyer, returned to the country yesterday. According to Hon. Benson Obua, the coordinator of his homecoming there were intense negotiations over how to admit him into the country without a valid Ugandan passport.

Immigration officers, he said, were in receipt of a temporary travel document issued by Uganda' Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

However, the document "number 000702" was apparently resisted by Dr Otunnu who instead presented an application form for a passport as the only requirement for admission.

He later told a press conference at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel that he was entitled to a passport because he is a Ugandan by birth and descent.

"You cannot get rid of me now," he said while fielding several questions.

Dr Otunnu, who was flanked by members of the UPC and officials from the Inter-Party Cooperation, a group exploring political unity among Uganda's opposition parties ahead of the 2011 elections, was in sharp form.

One of the controversial issues about Dr Otunnu's return after an exile lasting over three decades is if he had renounced his Ugandan citizenship in order to compete for the top job at the United Nations.

When asked to respond to reports that the ruling NRM government had twice de-campaigned his candidature for UN Secretary General he said "It is true" that his "name had come up in 1991 and 1996".

"On both occasions [President Yoweri Museveni] fought furiously day and night to sabotage my candidature" he said. Attending the press conference were UPC MP's including Mr John Odit and Mr Livingstone Okello Okello. Also present was Mr Jimmy Akena, the son of President Milton Obote, whose family stirred the political pot by saying Dr Otunnu is not welcome at the grave of their father an dtwo-time leader of Uganda, the late Dr Apollo Milton Obote.

IPC chairman Ken Lukyamuzi was also present. Dr Otunnu described Dr Obote as a nationalist and pan-Africanist who he said had struggled for Ugandan independence. He said the national economy had boomed under his leadership and Uganda was more united. He said today unlike then, today Uganda is divided along ethnic lines.

Later Dr Otunnu and his entourage met UPC President Miria Obote at Uganda House in Kampala. He was expected to also lunch with some representatives of the party who travelled from up-country destinations to meet him.

Ms Obote handed him a new UPC flag, a youth training manual of the UPC constitution and the party's 2006 manifesto as well as their strategic plan.
He was also given 50 party cards for "recruiting" new members.
Dr Otunnu who said earlier he still hoped to visit Dr Obote's grave told Ms Obote he was delighted to be home and pay tribute to family.

He was by yesterday evening expected to host dinner for a cross-section of political leaders and friends. "As a party we welcome members from the Diaspora to return and build our nation. However the Uganda Otunnu left 25 years ago is not the one he will find today," said Hon Mike Mukula , the NRM vice chairman for the East.

Capt. Mukula said Dr Otunnu's accusation that the army committed genocide during the northern Uganda conflict was "serious" and needed addressing.

"He who alleges must prove. Those are strong allegations. He can take them to the Human Rights Commission or the Supreme Court because [unlike the anarchy he left] now there is law and order," Capt. Mukula said yesterday.

Yesterday, Dr Otunnu said he stood by his comments and said they were a matter of public record. Asked to comment on if he had brought evidence of genocide, he responded "I have not taken Museveni to the ICC or the United Nations Security Council".
The accusation that the northern Uganda war saw a genocide is one of the issues driving speculation that Dr Otunnu may be arrested.

Dr Otunnu, widely expected to be a contender for the UPC presidency in the party's upcoming national delegates conference, said his main message was that Uganda needed to unite.

"None of us will be able to accomplish on their own what this country is yearning for," he said. He said the lack of accountable government explains the current corruption and "deep malaise" the country had descended into.

"2011 is an opportunity for Ugandans to elect a government accountable to the people," he said to cheers.

Otunnu was also asked if he had returned with any members of his family to which he said his younger sister Elina Apolonye had accompanied him.