Renowned Human rights activist and father to Aruu County Member of Parliament in Pader District Mzee James Otto has died.
Mzee Otto succumbed to kidney failure from Mulago hospital, Kirudu branch in Kampala on Friday morning. He was 71-years-old.
Mr Samuel Odonga Otto confirmed the death of his father in a social media post Friday morning.
“My father James Otto has died this morning at 5:20 am at Kirudu Hospital. Burial will be arranged,” Mr Otto wrote.
Mzee otto was a co- founder of Human Rights Focus (HURIFO); a leading Gulu- based human rights organization. HURIFO has been key in the promotion of human rights in northern Uganda since its founding in 1994.
The late Otto was the Secretary General of the organization before becoming its first Executive Director. He retired from that from the organization in 2010.
Mzee Otto was known for his strong human rights advocacy during and after the conflict in northern Uganda.
He has been mourned by many in northern Uganda.
HURIFO Executive Director Mr Francis Odongyoo who replaced Mzee Otto described the deceased as a committed human rights activist who fought injustice in the region.
“Mzee Otto was passionate about respect of rights of everyone. He never feared to criticize any human right offender whether the government or an individual,” Mr Odongyoo told Acholi Times in an
interview Friday.
Gulu District LCV Chairperson Martin Ojara Mapenduzi said the region has lost a human rights defender who stood firm amidst intimidation.
“During the times of insurgencies, the late Otto stood firm in defending the rights of the locals, he received numerous threats but he never gave up” Mr Mapenduzi said.
In a post on social media after the initial one announcing his father’s demise, Odonga- Otto said a requiem was will be held for his late dad on Tuesday Sept 27 at Christ the King Church in Kampala at 9 am after which the body will be transported to Gulu. On Wednesday Sept 28, another requiem mass will be held at Holy Rosary in Gulu. Burial will be on Thursday Sept 29 at his ancentral home in Pader district
1 Comment
One of Kwari who have done us all he had to do for our survival and succeeded successfully. Through that, we have many now, many shall come, and through such example we have peace for centuries to come. May he blessed your soul and your family.