Story of Museveni’s Kenyan Spy Who Died Poor

A side-by-side image of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the late George Opah Oteba.
A side-by-side image of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the late George Opah Oteba.
East African, Weekly Review

Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni's struggle for liberation during the guerilla movement before ascending to power in 1986 is no secret.

Museveni, who amassed 16 years in the bush, waged war against the regimes of Idi Amin Dada, Milton Obote and Tito Okello. 

Unknown to many, a young Kenyan relocated from Kenya to Kampala, Uganda and helped him to gather intelligence and other logistical support - proving to be one of the most resourceful allies during the struggle. 

An undated image of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in a past event
An undated image of Uganda President Yoweri Museveni in a past event
File

According to the Weekly Review, George Opah Oteba's relationship with Museveni dated back to his father, the late Lawi Karani Oteba who housed Museveni for three weeks in 1971. 

Years later, George continued to meet with Museveni whereby it is reported that the duo continued to plot strategic moves.

David Oteba, George's younger brother, revealed that the duo lived in their homestead and would only leave at night. 

“They lived in one of my brother’s mud-walled and grass-thatched cottages. They stayed indoors most of the day, like prisoners, and only stepped out at night to run some errands before returning in the wee hours of the morning," he stated. 

Museveni's stay at the camp was kept a top secret as they sought to overthrow the Ugandan government. After staying at George's compound, he left for Tanzania, accompanied by George's two brothers and a cousin. 

At the time, George continued to gather and deliver information to Museveni and his relatives in Tanzania. 

The trio, however, did not return home as it is reported that they were killed after an encounter with the government. 

Years later when Museveni eventually ascended into power, George became hopeful that he would be rewarded for his efforts - this, however, did not come to fruition

According to an official within Museveni's government, efforts by the president to look for his close ally were hampered by bureaucracy and challenges in locating his geographical location. 

“The President tasked me to locate a tall, slender, and generous man who hosted him around the border in the 1970s," the official stated noting that George may have opted to lay low in fear of being victimised by authorities. 

In early 2023, the 83-year-old veteran died at his rural home in Busia County as a poor man. 

President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during a past meeting.
President William Ruto (left) and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during a meeting in Uganda in August 2022.
Photo
Yoweri Museveni
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