Tito Lutwa Okello (1914 – 3 June 1996) was a Ugandan military officer and politician who served as the eighth president of Uganda from 29 July 1985 until 26 January 1986.[1]
Tito Lutwa Okello | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8th President of Uganda | |
| In office 29 July 1985 – 26 January 1986 | |
| Preceded by | Bazilio Olara-Okello |
| Succeeded by | Yoweri Museveni |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tito Lutwa Okello 1914 Kitgum District, Uganda |
| Died | 3 June 1996 (aged 81) Kampala, Uganda |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  British Empire Uganda |
| Branch/service | British Army Uganda Army Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) |
| Years of service | 1940–1962 (British Empire) 1962–1971 (Uganda Army) 1979–1986 (UNLA) |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | King's African Rifles Uganda Army Uganda National Liberation Army |
| Battles/wars | |
Background
editTito Okello was born into an ethnic Acholi family in circa 1914 in Namukora,[2] Kitgum District.[3]
He joined the King's African Rifles in 1940 and served in the East African Campaign of World War II. As a career military officer, he had a variety of assignments.
As a follower of President Milton Obote, Okello went into exile following the 1971 coup d'état that resulted in Idi Amin becoming Uganda's new ruler. In 1972, rebels invaded Uganda to restore Obote. Okello was one of the leaders of an insurgent group which targeted Masaka. The invasion was defeated by loyalist Uganda Army troops.[4]
Okello took part in the Uganda–Tanzania War. He was one of the commanders in the coalition between the Tanzania People's Defence Force and the Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) that removed Amin from power in 1979. In 1980, Obote was restored to presidency. Okello was selected to be the Commander of the UNLA from 1980 to 1985.[1]
Coup d'état
editIn July 1985, together with Bazilio Olara-Okello, Tito Lutwa Okello staged the coup d'état that toppled President Obote. Okello ruled as president for six months until he had to transfer power to the National Resistance Army (NRA) operating under the leadership of the current president, Yoweri Museveni. He went into exile in Kenya after his tenure was forcefully terminated by Museveni.[3]
Extended family
editTito Okello's son Henry Oryem Okello is the current State Minister for Foreign Affairs responsible for International Affairs.[1][3] In 2002, Tito Okello's younger brother, Erisanweri Opira, was abducted from his home in Kitgum District by the rebel group, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). His abduction was considered unusual as the LRA usually kidnapped teenagers and young people to use as prospective soldiers or sex slaves. Opira was in his late seventies when he was abducted.[5]
Final years
editOkello remained in exile until 1993, when he was granted amnesty by President Museveni and returned to Kampala. He died three years later, of an undisclosed illness, on 3 June 1996. He was almost 82 years old at the time of his death. He was buried at his ancestral home in Kitgum District.[6]
Legacy and honours
editIn January 2010, Okello was posthumously awarded the Kagera National Medal of Honour for fighting against the Idi Amin dictatorship in the 1970s.[7]
See also
edit- Uganda since 1979, part of the History of Uganda series.
- President of Uganda
- Politics of Uganda
- Okello Oryem
References
edit- ^ a b c "President Tito Okello Lutwa (General)". Statehouse.go.ug. Uganda State House. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "President Tito Okello Lutwa (General)". State House Uganda. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Titus Kakembo, and Joel Ogwang (25 January 2012). "Tito Okello: The President Who Was Kept On His Toes". New Vision (Kampala). Archived from the original on 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "Obote, Museveni blame each other for failed 1972 invasion of Uganda". Daily Monitor. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ^ Ross, Will (24 July 2002). "Uganda Rebels Grab Ex-President's Brother". BBC News (London). Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ "General Tito Okello, Ex-Ugandan Leader, 82". New York Times. Associated Press. 10 June 1996. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ Milton Olupot, and Daniel Edyegu (26 January 2010). "Museveni, Janet, Moi Get National Medals". New Vision (Kampala). Archived from the original on 30 January 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2015.