“The IGP with deep sorrow regrets to announce the sudden demise of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Major General Paul Lokech. He passed on from his home this morning. A detailed statement on the cause of death and burial arrangements will be availed in due course,” Police said in a statement on Saturday.
Later, prominent people and groups started extending messages of condolence as well as their feelings over the passing of one of the commanders credited for breaking the back of Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia when he was commander of UPDF contingent several times between 2011 and 2018.
We picked a few of the reactions they posted on Twitter:
Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah: Gen. P. Lokech was a leader willing to put his soul into any job to get it“Done”. He was dependable, committed and brought valor, patriotism, & poise to all his tasks. He always stepped in the gap; raising against formidable challenges. Such a huge loss to the nation. May his soul RIP.
First Deputy Prime Minister and EAC Affairs Hon Rebecca Kadaga: I would like to send my condolences to H.E the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the family of Gen Lokech ,the Uganda Police Force, and the people of Uganda RIP the” Lion of Mogadishu ”
Commander of Land Forces Lt Gen Muhozi Keinerugaba: Today the country has lost an indomitable warrior and patriot. Rest well my brother Maj. General Paul Lokech. You fought a very good fight for the motherland. We will always remember you and miss you.
FDC Political party: @FDCOfficial1: Our condolences to the family of Maj Gen Paul Lockech. Paul joins thousands of our people that have been killed and murdered by this regime.
May his soul rest in peace ll!!
Deputy Speaker Hon Anita Among: Maj General Paul Lokech was a patriot committed to the service of his Country and the African Continent and in him the Country has lost a dedicated servant. My sympathies to his family and the armed forces. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
Former FDC President Dr Kiiza Besigye; @kizzabesigye1: Eeh!!
Democratic Party president general Nobert Mao: Sad! Shocked! Maj Gen Paul Lokech is another fruit fallen unripe! My condolences to his family, armed forces and all Ugandans. Lokech embodied sterling qualities. He survived LRA and
Alshabab only to succumb to a blood clot! Blood clot, who born you?
Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi: So we all woke up and started our normal day’s activities; then boom, this sad news of the death of Deputy IGP! A man known for being a true patriot, straight forward and fearless when in pursuit of the right cause! RIP
Before the Police assignment:
Maj Gen Lokech had been serving in South Sudan where he was deployed in November 2019. Gen Lokech was sent to South Sudan to monitor on behalf of the guarantors the South Sudan peace process, the assembling, screening, demobilization and integration of the armed forces of South Sudan.
Museveni between 2017 to 2018 redeployed Lokech to Somalia still as UPDF contingent commander and when he returned, he promoted him to the rank of Maj General. He immediately posted him to Jinja to command the Uganda Rapid Deployment Capability Centre.
Gen Lokech till recently was Chief of Staff of Uganda People’s Defence Air Force –UPDAF. He previously served as part of the commanders of Uganda’s peace-keeping forces in South Sudan.
The two-star General was part and parcel of Operation Safe Haven where UPDF extremely went offensive on rebels of Allied Democratic Front-ADF who were being commanded by now incarcerated Jamil Mukulu. The ADF was still based in the Democratic Republic of Congo- DRC.
Maj Gen Lokech also commanded UPDF Second Division which is based in Mbarara at Makenke barracks. Other places where Maj Gen Lokech was deployed include Russia where he was Uganda’s Defence Attaché.
