The people in Gulu district have begun week long mourning for Walter Ochora, the former RDC and LC5 chairman who died in Kampala last week.
Abdallah Kiganda, the district chief administrative officer, announced that the mourning period would last until Friday, when the body would be buried. He has instructed all the government institutions in the district to ensure all flags fly at half mast during the week.
A condolence book has been placed at all public places including banks, hotels, radio stations and other public offices to enable the residents to honor the deceased.
Ochora was the LC5 chairman of Gulu district from 1998 until 2006, when his attempt for a third term in office was ended by Norbert Mao.
Ochora's second attempt to regain the office was frustrated when Martin Ojara Mapinduzi won him in the February 23 LC5 elections.
He was also RDC from 2006 until last year when he resigned t take part in the Feb 23 2011 elections.
Martin Ojara, the Gulu district council speaker has said an extra ordinary council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, to honor the deceased who was chairman of the district for ten years.
Meanwhile, there has been an increased demand in the voice recording of Ochora on the occasions he appeared on the local radio stations.
While he served as the RDC, Ochora had a weekly radio program on Radio Mega. During those appearances, he entertained the listeners with interesting jokes and humor that largely characterized the programs.
As a result, many recording studios have obtained the recording and are selling them at 5,000 shillings per compact disc. Nelson Oyet, a proprietor of Dasco recording studio near Gulu Bus Park, said many people were turning in to ask for the recordings.
At Mega FM, CDs containing selected clips of the comical talks have been produced in mass and are being sold at 5,000 shillings.
Juma Okot, a presenter at the station who always hosted Ochora on the weekly talk show said they decided to produce the recordings because many people were demanding for them. He however said the proceeds from the sales would be handed over to Ochora's family.
