It is a sombre mood at the home of the late Deputy Inspector General of Police Peter Lokech in Kitikifumba zone Kira Municipality, as mourners gathered to grieve.
At his home, residents gathered in big numbers amidst heavy deployment of the police and army. Several government officials, Members of Parliament and army officers were also seen moving in and out of the home.
We spoke to some of Lokech’s neighbours who had fond memories of the Lokech.
Suleiman Mutyaba who sold land to Paul Lokech described the late army officer general as a decent person who respected and interacted with every person irrespective of their status.
“He has been moving around in this place and talking to us, but three weeks back I found him on an evening walk with his escorts, but he was walking on crutches and he told me he fell in the office,” Suleiman said.
Suleiman recalls how Lokech supported residents in the area during the 42-day lockdown with food items.
Hajji Yakubu Ssemuwemba explains that the deceased had just completed his house in the past six months. He adds that two weeks ago, Lokech invited some of his neighbours for a house party.
Ssemuwemba also says that Lokech ordered the installation of CCTV cameras on the road leading to their homes.
Denis Onekalit Amere, the Kitgum Municipality Member of Parliament and the Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament Lillian Aber said that Lokecth will be missed because of his humanity.
It is eight months and five days since President Museveni appointed Maj Gen Lokech to replace Maj Gen Stephen Muzeeyi Sabiiti as Deputy IGP.
At the time of his appointment in the Uganda Police Force, Maj Gen Lokech was serving in South Sudan where he was monitoring on behalf of the guarantors of the South Sudan peace process, the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan.
While serving as UPDF contingent commander in Somalia from 2011 to 2012, Lokech was praised for fighting Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia. The fearless one-star General captured key historical places like the Red Mosque in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu and which earned him a moniker the ‘Lion of Mogadishu’.
