Archbishop Raphael P’mony Wokorach of Gulu Archdiocese has described the homecoming of Lieutenant General (Rtd) Charles Otema Awany as a profound symbol of the lasting peace in northern Uganda.
Archbishop Wokorach addressed thousands of congregants during a thanksgiving ceremony held at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City.
The service celebrated Lt Gen Otema’s safe return to his ancestral community following 47 years of military service in the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF).
“After all the tireless struggles and wars, Lt Gen Otema has returned home alive. This is a gift from God that we cannot take for granted,” Archbishop Wokorach said.
The prelate urged local communities to safeguard regional stability and leverage it to accelerate socioeconomic development.
He commended President Yoweri Museveni for leading sustained military and political interventions that ended decades of civil unrest in northern Uganda.
“The region is now experiencing economic and social development at a steady pace. We should not take this peace for granted. We must guard it jealously so that we do not slide back into turmoil,” the Archbishop noted.
Lt Gen Otema served during turbulent chapters in Uganda's history, playing prominent command roles in operations against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).
Delivering President Museveni’s message, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem, congratulated the retired general on completing a distinguished military career.
Hon. Oryem noted that Lt Gen Otema served during difficult periods when conflict severely strained trust between security forces and local populations.
“These were bold steps that we, as government, rode on to attain the peace we are enjoying today,” Hon. Oryem said.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, praised the retired general for standing with the nation during critical security campaigns.
Gen Mbadi emphasized that Lt Gen Otema’s retirement reflects an orderly generational transition within the armed forces as younger officers assume senior command duties.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Hon. Richard Todwong, speaking on behalf of elders and the family, acknowledged the long separations and personal sacrifices endured by military families.
The Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, commended the armed forces for pacifying northern Uganda and praised the general for representing the cultural identity of the Acholi people with honor nationwide.
In his remarks, Lt Gen Otema described his homecoming as a deeply emotional milestone rooted in discipline, duty, and national service.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude to his community and singled out his mother for offering prayers and blessings when he enlisted in the military nearly five decades ago.
During his active service, Lt Gen Otema held several high-profile appointments, including Commander of the UPDF Reserve Force and Chief of Logistics and Engineering.
Lt Gen Otema announced that his retirement will focus on commercial agriculture, livestock production, hospitality, and local wealth creation to support the regional economy.
The thanksgiving ceremony brought together cabinet ministers, senior UPDF generals, Members of Parliament, local government heads, cultural leaders, and community members.
