David Oyite-Ojok

David Oyite Ojok (15 April 1940 – 2 December 1983) was a Ugandan military officer who held a leadership position in the coalition of Uganda National Liberation Army and Tanzania People's Defence Force which removed military dictator Idi Amin in 1979 and, until his death in a helicopter crash, served as the national army chief of staff with the rank of major general.

Military career before 1979 An ethnic Lango, Oyite Ojok was born in Lira District

Oyite-Ojok joined the Uganda Army in 1963. By 1965, he was teaching a training course for officer cadets in Jinja. Oyite-Ojok was one of President Obote's most important followers in the military, and was described by Omara-Otunnu as 'Obote's principal military confidant' was appointed to the '..newly created post of Assistant Military Secretary in the Ministry of Defence,' serving as a Major. His duties included '..planning, all policy matters, and control of Establishment.' At some point, he was sent for training to Great Britain.

By 1971, Oyite-Ojok served as lieutenant colonel, After this failure, Obote reorganized his remaining forces; he mobilized a "navy" of six boats on Lake Victoria which would conduct smuggling operations to finance the rebels as well as set up an underground network in Uganda. Oyite-Ojok was entrusted with command of Obote's "navy".

The Uganda Army invaded Tanzania in late 1978, resulting in the Uganda–Tanzania War's outbreak. Oyite-Ojok assumed a key role in the grouping of military exiles who, with the backing of Tanzanian troops, led the counteroffensive which resulted in the overthrow of Amin. At first, he served as field commander for Obote's private army Kikosi Maalum, The NRA claimed that it had shot down his Bell 412, whereas Obote's government claimed that the crash had been the result of a technical failure. Soon, conspiracy theories emerged, alleging that Obote had arranged the death of his army commander as the latter had grown too powerful.

Aftermath In the decades following the helicopter crash which ended David Oyite Ojok's life at the age of 43, documented details have not been made public. The political ramifications for Uganda, however, were severe. Acholi officers now expected Obote to appoint an Acholi to replace Oyite Ojok. One obvious candidate, Bazilio Olara-Okello who, although unrelated to Tito Okello, was, as in the case of Oyite Ojok, another officer who participated in the overthrow of Idi Amin. Obote, nevertheless, appointed a junior Langi officer, Smith Apon-Achak. This further alienated the Acholi officers who overthrew Obote's government two years later.

Despite having fought against Museveni, Oyite-Ojok has been honored by the latter's government as a national hero.