NAKAPIRIPIT.
President Museveni has paid tribute to the late Edward Lorika Athiyo, a respected elder of Karamoja and former public servant, during a visit to his ancestral home in Nakapiripirit District.
The President’s visit came shortly after presiding over the International Labour Day celebrations on May 1.
President Museveni described the late Athiyo as a friend and one of the first Karamojong personalities he encountered in his youthful years.
“Thank you very much for inviting me. I didn’t know your home was this close. This is the home of my friend. I first met Athiyo in 1966 at Ankole Hotel in Mbarara. It used to be the only hotel in the area, actually owned by a white man.
Athiyo had just been appointed as the District Commissioner for Ankole, and I was a Senior Six student at Ntare School,” President Museveni recalled.
President Museveni narrated his long-standing connection with the Karamoja region, highlighting shared experiences through decades of national service and struggle.
“We started working in 1970, but then Idi Amin came in. He appointed some people, including Naburri William, to positions. We began fighting Amin, and by 1972, we were actively resisting his regime. After his fall in 1979, I was appointed Minister of Defence, and that’s how I continued working with people like Timothy Lolem.”
The President also praised the legacy of the Lorika family; Edward Lorika Athiyo, Naburri William, and Timothy Lolem describing them as pioneers and patriots.
“I am happy that, like we Banyankole say, once you have children, you don’t die. These elders left behind seeds that are now growing. These seeds should germinate and multiply,” he remarked.
As a gesture of support, President Museveni donated a tractor to assist the families of the late Athiyo, Lolem, and Naburri in agricultural production.
On her part, Mrs. Christine Athiyo, widow of the late Athiyo, expressed deep appreciation to the President for honoring her husband’s legacy.
“I thank you for sparing time to come and be here with us. For the years I have been here, the late Athiyo has not been recognized and honored like you have done. We are very grateful,” she said.
She further appealed for continued support to other historical Karamojong families, including that of the late Lolem and Naburri.
“Within this land, we are focusing on two things: promoting agriculture and tourism and preserving the culture of the Karamojong. That’s our dream, and we intend to fulfill it,” she added.
“Mzee left us with very big shoes to fill. Our commitment to you and to Mzee is that we shall keep his legacy alive,” she concluded.
The event was attended by members of the Lorika family, including the children and grandchildren, Hon. Anyakun Esther, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial relations and Woman Member of Parliament for Nakapiripirit District, among others.