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CELEBRATING LIFE 

Godfrey Akena was born in 1992 at St Joseph’s Hospital, Kitgum to Albert Agech Gladstone Smoke and Lucy Aringo Agech. But most notably, Godfrey was the grandson of the late Tiberio Okeny Atwoma, who was a member of the 1995 Constituency Assembly.

A civil engineer, Akena, as we fondly called him, was beginning to live his dream until a car crash in South Sudan on June 16, 2018. The crash left him confined to a wheelchair.

Despite this, he embraced this challenge with grace until July 13, 2022, when he was diagnosed with a spinal cord tumour leading to paralysis in both his lower and upper limbs. It was recommended that Akena receive specialist treatment in India.

Akena was flown to India on August 26, 2022, and subsequently, he had a successful surgery on September 3, 2022, at Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon in New Delhi. He returned home on September 30, 2022.

There were noticeable signs of improvement and we were very excited and happy for our brother.

However, in mid-March 2023, Akena suffered a setback and his condition worsened at Yot-Kom Medical Centre in Kitgum where he was receiving his treatment. On the Palm Sunday of April 2, 2023 at 1:34am, our dear Godfrey breathed his last.

Today, April 2, 2024, marks exactly one year since he departed. He is survived by a wife and three lovely children.

With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a cherished soul who brought so much love, joy and light into our lives and those around him. Akena was a shining beacon of strength, love, joy, grace, and compassion, and his presence will forever be missed.

Dear Godfrey, wherever, you are, I will always hold dear the memories of us in India.

Your smile even amidst pain and your unwavering optimism inspired all of us to keep the faith. Your light shone so bright that it touched many lives both near and far.

As we honour Godfrey’s memory, let us remember the joy he brought into this world and the love he shared so freely. It is this memory that we shall carry with us always.

Although you are no longer with us, your spirit will live in our hearts forever.

Our gratitude goes to the various medical facilities where Godfrey received medical attention and to all who contributed generously towards his medical treatment in India. May all your good deeds be abundantly rewarded by the Almighty God.

Rest in peace, dear brother. You are greatly missed by your wife, children, parents, brothers and sisters. Until we meet again, may you find comfort in the arms of the angels.

With love and gratitude
Layet Monica Agech (sister)