Maj Gen Julius Oketta (right) chats with colleagues at Parliament. (File photo)
Parliament will meet on Monday to pay tribute to the late Maj Gen Julius Oketta, as Ugandans prepare for his burial.
The special sitting comes at the start of a week of commemorative events before a military sendoff in Amuru District, Pabbo Sub-county.
Facki Oketta, 60, a former UPDF parliamentary representative died on Saturday morning at Kadic Hospital. The clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige in a Sunday 6th communication bid all members of parliament to turn up for the special sitting starting at 2pm to pay tribute to the late Maj General Oketta and public viewing that will precede.
Before the special sitting expected to start at 2 pm, the body of the late is to lay in state for members of parliament and the public to pay their last respects.
Oketta was the deputy coordinator of the UPDF-led poverty eradication programme—Operation Wealth Creation.
A preliminary report indicates the late Maj Gen Oketta died of a blood clot. Senior UPDF officers paid glowing tribute to Oketta at his home in Wakiso district.
As a soldier, he was a specialist in artillery and a fearless fighter besides being among the most educated UPDF soldiers. He held a PhD in Management from Newport University, USA.
He was decorated with a medal by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for his sterling efforts in the fight against the deadly viral disease.
By Stephen Muneza Kagabo