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Rhythms of the Earth II
Home Again
The next day, 12 April 1979 as a reporter/photographer for the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), I accompanied the new President, Prof. Yusufu Lule and his Cabinet on an Air Tanzania plane back to Uganda, with EOA appointed Foreign Minister. We stopped over at Dodoma, and stayed overnight at Mwanza. On 13 April we touched down at Entebbe, and with tears of joy flowing freely, we disembarked and kissed Uganda soil. We were home again!
I joined the new Uganda Times newspaper, as reporter. I stayed at Nile Mansions (now Serena Hotel), and later at Apolo Hotel (now Sheraton). In May I moved to Uganda Television (UTV) as news producer with Outside Broadcast Unit (OBU). Just after 9 weeks in office, President Lule was forced to resign. On June 20 1979 former Attorney General Godfrey Binaisa became the President.
Born Again
In June 1979 Beth Akidi Owor, my childhood friend and teenage sweetheart, returned from Nairobi where she had lived in exile. Introductions took place and both families agreed on marriage. I joined Deliverance Church Kampala under leadership of Pastor Nicholas Wafula, Elders Ben Oluka, Titus Oundo, Laban Jjumba, Clement Tibarokoka. JESUS came into my life and I became a born-again Christian.
In September I left for Columbia University and Television Studio School, New York City for economics, political science, tv production, direction, studio operation, writing techniques, scriptwriting, film technology, and news reporting. On 12 May 1980 Paulo Muwanga took over the Presidency from Binaisa as Chairman of the Military Commission.
AMO returned to a tumultuous welcome on 27 May landing at Bushenyi, western Uganda. Brother Jimmy came back to the family since 1959. On 7 July 1980 twin sons Paul, (named after Paulo Muwanga) and Peter were born. Meantime, I graduated and returned to Uganda.
An Election and A Wedding
During the second part of 1980, heightened expectations gripped the country as campaigns for general elections got under way. EOA stood as UPC candidate in Gulu East constituency and won with 42,415 votes, overwhemingly defeating Galdino Okello, the Democratic Party (DP)candidate, who received less than 2,700 votes. He was appointed Prime Minister by AMO, who became President second time with Paul Muwanga as Vice-President.
On 20 December 1980 Beth and I wedded at Gulu’s Christ Church by Bishop Benoni Ogwal, sponsored by Paulo Muwanga. Sam Ssemugoma was my best-man with Margaret Nganwa as matron-of-honour. We lived at Bungatira with Mama Daina until July 1981. In Febraury brother Eddie was born to Mama Alice.
In February 1981 Yoweri Museveni “went to the bush” and launched a guerilla war against the UPC government. In October I rejoined UTV as commercial manager and was allocated a government pool house in Lower Kololo. We lost baby Saulo Okello after Beth miscarried.
In February 1982 I was baptised (immersed) in Lake Victoria at Ggaba by Pastor Wafula and on 22 October 1982 son Patrick was born. In March 1983 I returned to New York City at the Center for the Media Arts for course in broadcast maintenance and electronics. In November I graduated and returned to Uganda. Then I joined Uganda School of Journalism as lecturer for television production, in addition to managing the commercial office.
Rhythms of the Earth
On 3 August 1984 daughter Elizabeth Victoria (Victory in Christ) Akidi was born at Mengo Church of Uganda Hospital, and wife and new mom Beth died four hours later in unexplained circumstances. I left the baby at the hospital nursery and announced news of death. There was a total blackout throughout the city and suburbs of Kampala. The step-down transformer that supplied the city had been "decommissioned". EOA was with Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa for a security brief at the time. The General accompanied EOA home as mourners began to gather.
I returned the following day with EOA and VP Paulo Muwanga to formally identify the body and check on the baby. Again we left Baby Vicky in hospital with a relative as we went to bury Beth in Bungatira. Paulo Muwanga provided the coffin and Bishop Ogwal conducted the funeral service. A guerilla group claimed responsibility.
Life changed, and I was full of grief; a young widower with four little children. My parents, relatives, friends, the brethren, UTV and Information Ministry colleagues joined in helping me cope. President Obote visited to express condolences.
Renegades
After weeks of stand-off, on 27 July 1985 mid-morning, Gulu Army Base Commander Lt. Gen. Basilio Olara Okello with a band of renegades entered Kampala, launched relentless attacks on Parliament Buildings, Radio Uganda, Uganda Television, and other key Government installations. Many loyal men perished while others abandoned their posts for dear life! AMO escaped through to Kenya then Zambia. EOA had shuttled to Dar es Salaam and Lusaka days earlier on a mission to avert the impending crisis. Once again the UPC government had been overthrown by the Uganda military.
Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa became Head of State with Paulo Muwanga as Executive Prime Minister. A fortnight later EOA returned and retired to Gulu.
Second Exile
Within a few weeks Paulo Muwanga was put under house arrest at his Entebbe residence on allegations of "attempting a coup d'etat." I found a defiant but composed statesman when I called on him with a note from EOA. "It's inevitable now..." And on 26 January 1986 Yoweri Museveni ousted the Okello government, and EOA fled again, this time to London.
On 23 February 1986 son Lloyd Oketayot was born to Christine Lutara. EOA returned briefly to Uganda in April but went back to London in July. I made a guest appearance on UTV Kalinimi Music Show.
In August 1986 the present war in the north began and one day in October that year a bus was ambushed on Gulu-Kampala highway with my children onboard. Four died with many others injured. In January 1987 sister Lucy Labong passed away.
The Living Years
In March 1987 I left Uganda with children for London and in April EOA declared war on President Museveni. The battles were fierce with high fatalities on all sides. In March 1988 I had a brief marriage to Miriam Mukagabo Kagoro.
In January 1990 Mama Daina arrived from Uganda with a message for EOA from Museveni. In July that year the two men signed a peace agreement in Addis Ababa. Paulo Muwanga died soon after being released from prison.
In October 1991 EOA returned to Uganda and began private consultations with Museveni, regarding multiparty democracy. After making many overtures, he conceded that Museveni was reluctant, maintaining “Ugandans not yet ready for multiparty politics.”
On 24 April 1991 I performed at the Highbury Roundhouse under the auspices of the Pearl '90 Club. Sister Queen rejoined family.
Gone Too Soon
In 1992 Uncle Onesimus Bongomin Allimadi passed away. On 18 September 1992 I staged a show at the Shady Grove Club with Eddie Luyinda-Wasula backed by El Kibo Jazz. In January 1994 Miriam passed away and Mama Daina returned to Uganda. In October that year arrangements began for marriage with Sarah Ayaa Okwinyo, which took place March 1995. On 31 December 1994 Cissy, (Jay's mother) died with multiple bullet wounds. On 1 July 1995 Mama Daina died. Brother Eric went missing and was found weeks later drowned mysteriously in Denmark.
Live and Love
On 11 November 1995 I performed at the Sobell Leisure Centre during the Uganda Arts Festival. My children and I were featured on stage on 2 December 1995 to commemorate World AIDS Day. On 14 July 1996 I joined in the "Summer, Summer, Summertime!" event at the Millfield House Arts Centre for the Edmonton Extravaganza.
In October 1996 EOA suffered a massive stroke and I went to Uganda to be by his bedside. He remained in a coma for six weeks. In January 1997 I returned to London with new wife Sarah and on 26 October 1997 son Philemon Ochan was born. Brother Jack passed away shortly after. In April 1999 Grandma Susana Layado Allimadi died. In October 1999 wife Sarah left family home and Grandma Lakareber Okot died.
Papa Was A Rolling Stone
On 5 August 2001 EOA passed away. On 12 October 2002 daughter Daina Lakareber was born. In October 2003 Paul graduated in product design. In 2004 Uncle Dr. Odora Allimadi passed away, and Aunt Naomi departed August 2005. Peter is doing computing, Patrick sound engineering, and Vicky graduated in journalism in June 2006. Lloyd began university in September 2006.
On 10 October 2005 Apolo Milton Obote died. On behalf of the family of his erstwhile departed compatriot Erifasi Otema Allimadi, I conveyed our condolences to Mama Miria Obote and family, and the Oyima Clan. Let his passing usher in the end of bloodshed that has stained the land of Uganda for many a year and the healing of our nation begin.
Uganda Re-emergent
President Yoweri Museveni then opened up political space for multi-party democracy amidst sustained pressure from the international community. Political parties campaigned for both presidential and parliamentary elections that occurred on 23 February 2006. AMO's widow, Miria Kalule Obote (UPC) received 57,071 votes, Ssebana Kizito (DP) 109,583, Dr.Kiiza Besigye (FDC) 2,592,954, Dr. Abed Bwanika (Independent) 65,874, and the incumbent Yoweri Museveni (NRM), retained the presidency with 4,109,449 votes for another five years. By 2011, when the next elections are due, he will have been President for 25 years, the longest so far in Uganda's history.
On 4 November 2008 Luo kinsman Barack Hussein Obama became the first African-American President of the United States.
Treasures in Heaven
On 17 June 2006 James Mwa Allimadi, (beloved Uncle Jim), left us suddenly. Just over a year later, tragedy struck again on 16 October 2007 when Mama Alice Lamunu Allimadi died. And yet another journey's end for Mama Lisbeth Larsen Allimadi, who died peacefully on 9 August 2008 after a long battle.
Alas, an irony of fate, on 25 June 2009, the "King of Pop" Michalel Joseph Jackson breathed his last. A few weeks later, brother Ben Lukwiya also went too soon. On 25 August 2009 Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy died.
Thus, the gift of the Almighty God is life; and He commands us to love one another. May He bless you always, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Rhythms of the Earth
Ntare School Alumni
BLAPIXNET
She's So Far Away
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