Mourners from different corners of Teso on Friday converged for a requiem mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Soroti City to bid Farwell to fallen Chief Magistrate Margaret Aanyu. 

Aanyu passed away on Sunday afternoon, October 15, at Kampala Hospital where she was reportedly rushed after she collapsed at her home.

Friday was her last visit to Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Her family, friends, colleagues from the Judiciary and her clients alike were present to say farewell.

The portrait of Margret Aanyu. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

Shortly before 9:00 am, the hearse carrying her casket arrived as several people broke down sobbing. The deceased has been attending service at this church since her deployment in Soroti three years ago. It’s the same church where she received two sacraments of baptism and confirmation as a child.

Special session

On Thursday, Soroti High Court held a special session in her memory making her the first judiciary official to have her remains lay in the chambers where she used to dispense justice. 

The session followed a requiem mass at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church, Ntinda.

Among the mourners in Kampala was the Principal Judge Dr Flavian Zeija, leading a delegation of Judicial Officers at different court levels. Aanyu served Judiciary for the last 14 years.

Celebrating a life well lived

At Immaculate Conception Cathedral Fr. Jerome Agelu presided over the mass where the congregation included Soroti High Court Judge Dr. Henry Adonyo, Soroti West MP Jonathan Ebwalu, former Teso Affairs Minister Christine Amongin Aporu, the Regional Police Commander Kyoga East Damalie Nachuha, magistrates, business community among others.

“We are celebrating a life well lived. During the silver jubilee of her brother as a priest, Aanyu took the position of a receptionist where she was in charge of sitting guests, that is how simple Margaret was,” remarked Fr. Agelu.

Soroti West MP Jonathan Ebwalu greeting Soroti High Court Judge Dr Henry Adonyo during the requiem mass. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

Calling for comfort for the bereaved family, he said “Death is not for a certain section of people. It's for all rich or poor God calls them at his time. We only need to be prepared as children of God.”

Aanyu has been the only surviving child in their family of two after her only sister Lorna Aguti died last year. Her parents John Omusei and Gaudenisa Ajilong died earlier. She was born in 1969.

“She served Soroti with dedication without any record of extorting money from the people who appeared before her. I mourn a patriotic gallant daughter of Uganda whose services shall be greatly missed,” MP Jonathan Ebwalu said in his eulogy.

Fr Jerome Agelu blessing the casket on arrival to the church. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

Former Teso Affairs Minister Aporu eulogized Aanyu as an obedient officer who treasured her culture.

“She would offer to translate her rulings in Ateso to the people who didn’t know how to read. I know her as a committed Christian who supported the church. Her departure is a big loss to Teso and Uganda,” Amongin said.

Retired chief magistrate Robert Imalingat said Aanyu loved her work and associated well with the magistrates across the country.

Imalingat who last met her a day before her death, revealed that he was meant to host her at her home.

“I was with her till 5pm on Thursday and she was happy to receive me. I didn’t know that I was bidding her farewell,” Imalingat said.

Aanyu is survived by one child; Ian Ekomolit son of Onapito Ekomolit. The couple separated a few years after Ian’s birth.

The deceased magistrate studied at Fr. Hilders and Madera Girls for her primary, Tororo Girls for O level and Ngora High School for A level.

Funeral service pallbearers wheeling out the casket containing her remains after the requiem mass. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)

She joined Makerere University where she did a Bachelor of Laws and later Law Development Center (LDC) for a postgraduate in bar course in 1997.

Work

She worked as a legal associate with Katende Ssempebwa and co-advocates, a legal officer, non-performing assets recovery trust, Inspectorate of Government and joined the Judiciary as grade one magistrate Nakawa, Lyantonde and Matugga.

In 2021, she was promoted to chief magistrate court and posted to Soroti till her demise. Burial will be held in Kasoka Bukedea District on Saturday 21st of October.