Kampala — FORMER National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Kumi district Hajji Umar Okodel, is dead.

Okodel, the presidential adviser on elderly affairs, passed on yesterday at about 2:00pm at Mulago Hospital.

Zaituna Okodel, one of his wives, said he had been bedridden for over a week.

Doctors attributed his death to liver and kidney complications, Zaituna said.

She added that Okodel would be buried on Friday at his home in Akalabai village in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district.

President Yoweri Museveni last evening expressed sadness over Okodel's death.

"Okodel was a patriot who served the people of Kumi with diligence as the LC5 chairman for over 10 years and subsequently as the NRM chairman of the district. Death has robbed the nation of a dedicated servant; he will be remembered to have tirelessly propagated the principles and values meant to inspire the development of Teso.

"We grieve with the family and pray that God grants them comfort at this difficult time. May the Almighty God rest the soul of Okodel in eternal peace," the President stated in his message.

Before retiring from active politics in 2001, Okodel was the Kumi LC5 chairperson for 15 years. He was instrumental in bringing peace to Teso during the insurgency in the early 90s.