Col. John Ogole

Cometh the day, cometh the hour!  This is it.  Last week, we promised to start publishing a series of interviews with Col. John Charles Ogole; the man whose name has rightly or wrongly, been quite synonymous with the 1981-86 war in “Luwero Triangle”.  In this truly exclusive interview series, Uganda Correspondent [UC] sounds out Col. John Charles Ogole about that Luwero war and a number of other issues affecting his motherland Uganda.

In this first part of the interview series, Ogole talks about how he left Uganda in huff at the time of the 1985 coup to start a new life as refugee.  He also gives us a number of reasons that in his view justify his decision to remain silent in spite of the heated political activities in Uganda over the last 24yrs; some which in fact, called into question his own role in the so-called “Luwero Triangle”.  On the particular issue of his role in Luwero, Ogole said, “…I considered it wise and prudent to let the Museveni dictatorship run the full course of its venomous propaganda campaign in the safe knowledge that come rain or shine, it will pay off”.

In Ogole’s view, political silence is not and must never be construed to mean political inactivity.  Here, he gives us an insight into his quiet political activities over the years; some which included meetings with several Ugandan opposition politicians including FDC party President Dr. Kizza Besigye.  Besides, he also takes a brief but calculated swipe at Museveni’s [then] NRA guerrillas and accuses them of what he called “…a horrific trail of murder and destruction” before finally asking, cryptically almost, who the real butcher of Luwero is.

A source within Museveni’s NRM-O party who had a sneak preview of this particular part of Colonel Ogole’s interview said “…the NRM bitterly fought for and restored freedom of speech for all Ugandans.  We are very proud of that achievement.  So Ogole is free to say whatever he likes as long as it doesn’t compromise our national security”.

Ogole has had his say, and an NRM-O party supporter has also had his say.  What do you our esteemed readers, the most important “Judges” in the court of public opinion, have to say for yourselves?  Read the first part of our interview with Col. Ogole in the “National” drop down link or section and send your views to opinions@ugandacorrespondent.com.  Next week, we published the first part of a two part interview in which “Col. Ogole Spills Luwero War Beans”.  Don’t miss out!