8 years ago a young vibrant Constitutional Lawyer and prominent leader called Charles Owor was killed in August 2000. He would have turned 49 last Sunday. Owor was an outspoken person whose belief in the truth and strong moral principles cost him his life.

In 1995, Owor was one of the 53 Constitutional Assembly (CA) delegates who refused to sign the 1995 Uganda Constitutiuon. It may be said that the seeds of the bitter fruit which Ugandans are now harvesting were sown in those early days. As is their behaviour to this day, the majority of our leaders succumbed to opportunism, short-sightedness and greed, rather than be guided by principles and rational conduct. Charles Owor was an out-standing exception.

During the constitution making process, it became clear that Museveni through his NRM party had rigged the process right from the start to achieve their selfish pre-determined objectives. Special, unelected delegates were created to guarantee that the Museveni side had a majority. Delegates were systematically bribed with offers of juicy government jobs and other material benefits. Most seriously, the independence and integrity of the body was severely compromised when Museveni, while not being part of the Assembly, nevertheless kept giving orders and instructions to his "NRM Caucus" on what to do and how to vote.

For these and many other reasons, many delegates refused to endorse the new constitution saying their involvement in the constitution making process was being used to legitimise an NRM institution, the "Movement Political System". Interestingly, apart from Charles, Mr Daniel Omara Atubo, current Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development was one of these principled dissenters.

Later, Charles was one of seven Electoral Commissioners in the Steven B. Akabway (Chairman) Eletoral Commission that organised the 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Other members were Mrs. Flora Nkurukenda (Deputy Chairperson), Margaret Sekajja, Philip Idro, Syda Bumba and Aziz K. Kasujja. Museveni allegedly "won" that election with 75% of the vote.

But many prominent Ugandans in the current and past governments knew, were aware or even gleefully participated in rigging that election. To this day, only Charles had the personal integrity and courage to publicly state that this had been the case.

President Museveni subsequently issued veiled threats against him and it is believed later ordered his hitmen to kill Charles because he was seen as a threat.

Charles was at that time working both in Uganda and part time in Kenya. At one time he was being consulted by drafters of the Kenya constitution in Nairobi. He used to travel by road and was advised that there was a plot against him because Museveni's External Security Organisation (ESO) agents based in Kenya were following him. He was advised to fly to Nairobi rather than drive. But Charles was not afraid and refused to be cowed in the face of death.

On his way back to Kampala in early August 2000, he was abducted, beaten beyond recognition and subsequently killed by the ESO thugs. They then staged a car accident at night in Eldoret involving a truck, a Toyota Carina and Charles' car. But to this date the drivers of the other vehicles have never been seen, identified or brought to court by Kenya or Uganda Police because they don't exist. It was a plot by Museveni's henchmen.

Charles "took to task" the leaders of his day

At a young age of forty, Charles Owor accomplished what most of us could only dream of doing in a lifetime. He served his beloved country with such diligence and humility. Most of us were shocked by his tragic and untimely death in a so said "motor vehicle accident" near Eldoret, Kenya on August the 10th 2000. But also on looking back, it is equally amazing at how much he had achieved for his poor war torn nation of Uganda.

Charles was able to accomplish so much because of his strong and committed Christian faith, his servant leadership and the love of democracy, justice, the law and humanity. Charles was a people person. He loved people of all walks of life, tribes and nation. Indeed Charles made followers of every tribe and nations.

Charles Owor was involved in numerous non-governmental organisations (NGOs) some of which he founded, and sat on the Boards of various organisations in Uganda. As a leader, he was never afraid to challenge the status quo even at great risk to his own safety and life. Clearly he understood Luke 12:4 -5: very well

"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!"
(New American Standard Bible)

Born June 8th 1959 (Hero's day in Uganda) in Gulu, Gulu District, Aswa county, Uganda

Grand child of Acholi Paramount Chief Andrew Olal (Maternal grandfather)

Education

• University of the West Indies, Barbadoes. Masters of Law (LL.M)
  
• University of New Delhi, India, Legislative Drafting Certificate
  
• Law Development Centre, Kampala Uganda. LL.B
  
• Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. Bachelors of Law
  
• Makerere College School, Kampala, Uganda. A levels
  
• Moroto High School, Moroto District, Uganda. O levels
  

Professional Life

• Vice President of The Free Movement 2000
  
• Lecturer, Kenya School of Law & Public Law Institute 1999- 2000
  
• Consultancy work, Kampala City Council
  
• Senior Partner in Mao Owor Oulanyah & Co. Advocates -1999
  
• One of seven Electoral Commissioner for the 1996 Presidential and Parliamentary election
  
• State attorney to Ugandan government and Parliament on legal and Parliament 1985-1991
  
• Member of Parliament for Aswa (Constituency Assembly delegate)
  

Legal/Humanitarian Work

• Consultant for Kampala City Council
  
• He handled court litigation in both criminal and legal matters, conveyance issues and other consultances.
  
• Legal adviser to the Committee on Reform of the Police Act. Responsible for the evaluating the Uganda presidential and parliamentary elections of 1996.
  
• Consultant in charge of assessing the impact of water hyacinth on Ugandan Lakes
  
• Consultant during the establishment of credit and savings institutions for Ugandan National Farmers Association
  
• Member of a Board of Trustees of NPART
  
• Took on cases for children and women
  

Thank you Radio katwe, Charles would be proud to know the Citizens of Uganda Know the truth, continue the good work you are doing to stand up and fight this Evil. With prayers we shall over come Evil. God bless you

For more information visit http://www.charlesowor.org