The Minister for Presidency, Hon. Babirye Milly Babalanda made her remarks during the official sendoff of the late former Director General ISO, Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka in Ousia Village, Kalaki District, yesterday, February 08, 2025.
The sad news of the passing of Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka sparked the country on the evening of January 29, 2025
“It is with a heavy heart that I join you here to celebrate the life of one of the finest officers ever to serve in the security forces of Uganda. Regrettably, we lost Brig. Gen. Oluka so unexpectedly”, Minister Said
She informed the mourners that death is almost always untimely but the death of Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka was most unexpected as many of us were unaware of his illness.
“I knew brig. Gen. Charles Oluka as a calm and down-to-earth officer who did not boast about his ranks or position. Indeed, many people did not know him. He operated in the background and let his work speak for him”, she said
“Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka served at the ISO and easily worked with colleagues but firmly maintained his line of business”.
“I wish to deeply acknowledge and appreciate the close working relationship I have had with the ISO while Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka was in charge. I hope to continue working even more closely with the team at the ISO in his memory. We are one team pursuing the same objective of securing and transforming Uganda”, She thanked the Late.
The Minister also noted that Uganda is now peaceful and stable, thanks to the “invisible” work of intelligence organs and people behind them like Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka and thanked the Late Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka for dedicating all his adult life to pacify Uganda including his home area, Teso; which had been destabilized by the Lakwena and LRA Insurgencies.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda, Rtd. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for selecting you to the ISO Director General, and promoting you progressively. You deserved all that you attained”, She Said
She also noted that the Late Brig. Gen. Oluka was loyal to the commander-in-chief and he ably supported the strategic mission of the UPDF and government of Uganda.
She thanked the widow for supporting him in executing his duties. “I remember so painfully when we came here just recently to celebrate your marriage. It is indeed a very sad note to be here again shortly to witness this turn of events” she Said
“I pray to the almighty God whom Charles and yourself loved so much to strengthen you and the entire family. Being a woman myself; I know what it feels and means”.
The Minister asked the children to pick the lessons of humility, hard work, and professionalism from their father and for all Ugandans and the people of Teso to emulate his patriotism and dedication.
“I thank the officers and staff of ISO for standing with the late Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka for the time he was at the ISO. You made him what he became”.
She rallied the RDCs, the DISOs, and the GISOs to carry forward the memory of Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka by multiplying efforts to pacify their areas and to monitor the performance of the parish development Model (PDM).
She prayed for the soul of Brig. Gen. Charles Oluka to Rest in Eternal Peace!
The burial ceremony was attended by Vice President Jessica Alupo as the chief Mourner, Cabinet Ministers, State Ministers, local area leaders, ISO officers, ESO officers, UPDF officers, among others.
