OJWOK'S DEATH A BLOW TO ABIM DISTRICT

TRIBUTE By Robert E. Owiny
Monitor Daily Opinions November 15, 2007


The untimely death of Hon. Omwony Ojwok MP for Labwor county and state minister for planning is a big blow to the people of Abim district.

Being one of the very few well educated brains from that land, Ojwok had to involve himself in almost every thing in Labwor. He was the brain behind the creation of the new district as well as negotiating for peace with the Karamojong.

“He was at the forefront of battles to establish democratic and transparent practice in community activism, and in teaching the community that they had a right and duty to engage in national politics,” Kalungi Serumaga, wrote in his tribute to Ojwok.

He was brilliant, selfless and simple. I remember one time at a radio talk show a commentator describing him as someone you would fail to recognise as a minister considering his simple way of dressing.

It is very hard to find a man as selfless as Ojwok who even lost the location of his biological mother’s whereabouts for more than 10 years, while working with other Africans in the Diaspora to bring genuine nationalism and democracy in Uganda.

A very complex chapter has opened for the people of Abim district. Ojwok was the most reliable thread that connected the Ethur to president Museveni. Being strong supporters of the NRM government, I can agree with Serumaga that the people of Labwor were very instrumental in Ojwoki’s home-coming as they wanted his trusted leadership to make their support for the government recognised.

Unfortunately, Ojwok has passed away at a time when many issues in Abim were yet to be resolved. For instance, there is confusion over the location of the district headquarter.

While most residents prefer the headquarters to be built in Abuk, a spacious area located between Lira, Pader, and Katakwi districts, Ojwok wanted it to be built in Abim town where he is born, inspiteof the fact that Abim has no space for development.

Already, the people of Abim have dragged the district LCV chairman, Mr Norman Ochero to court for allegedly causing confusion over the headquarters location issue.

Ojwok’s death therefore comes at a very tricky time for the people of Abim district. To make matters worse, his political influence had thrown other politicians in the land almost out of the game. People like Yafes Otim Omara, Obonyo Joabwor and Owilli Nathuth e.t.c no longer have political clout necessary bring the necessary development in the area.

As we mourn, let us also us pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace and God to guide his family during this trying time.
The writer is a journalism student at Makerere University and comes from Abim district
robowiny@yahoo.com