Remembering Lt. Gen. Paul Lokech: A Look Back at His Illustrious Career and Sudden Passing

On August 21, 2021, Uganda lost Lieutenant General Paul Lokech, a prominent figure in the nation’s military and security apparatus. At 55, Lokech was serving as the Deputy Inspector General of Police when he passed away unexpectedly at his home.

An official post-mortem examination later determined that Lokech succumbed to a massive bilateral pulmonary embolism. This condition was linked to a deep vein thrombosis, which developed after he sustained a fracture to his right ankle several weeks prior. The resulting blood clot traveled from his calf to his lungs, tragically blocking both pulmonary arteries.

Born in 1966 in the Acholi sub-region, Lokech embarked on his military journey in 1987, joining the National Resistance Army (now the UPDF). His career was marked by significant assignments, including counter-insurgency operations against the ADF in the DRC and a stint as Uganda’s Military Attaché in Moscow.

However, Lokech gained widespread recognition for his command of Ugandan forces in Somalia under the African Union Mission. Leading Battle Groups 8 and 9, he was instrumental in pushing Al-Shabaab out of Mogadishu, earning him the moniker “The Lion of Mogadishu.” He served a second tour in Somalia and also played a crucial role in South Sudan’s peace process.

Prior to his appointment as Deputy IGP in December 2020, Lokech held positions such as Chief of Staff of the UPDF Air Force. In his final role, he was involved in overseeing critical security operations, including the investigation into the attempted assassination of General Katumba Wamala.

His sudden death led to an outpouring of tributes, and he was posthumously promoted from Major General to Lieutenant General by President Museveni, acknowledging his extensive service to the country.

Source: Nile Post