Entebbe beach tycoon Kodet laid to rest on 1,000-hectare farm

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A final send-off for deceased Karamoja tycoon and Entebbe-based Aero Beach proprietor Cornelius Lorika Kodet has been held at his home in Lomurunyangae village, Namalu sub-county in Nakapiripirit district.

A multitude of mourners from far and the nearby villages climbed rocks and trees to catch a glimpse of how the shiny, yellowed casket carrying his remains was lowered into a seven-foot white-grey tiled grave on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Kodet died aged 86, a week earlier, at his home in Entebbe, Wakiso district.

His wife, Aisha Imenan, described her husband as having been loving, generous and full of wisdom.

She, however, said the family was self-conscious in the past 21 days when Lorika showed improvement.

According to Imenan, at the time of his death, Lorika was writing a book entitled: The powerful.

M7’s tribute

President Yoweri Museveni, who was represented by Karamoja affairs state minister Florence Wamala Nambozo, eulogised Kodet as having been a remarkable businessman and that the space left behind was huge to the people of Karamoja and the country.

The President also urged the residents of the Karamoja region to embrace peace and told illegal gun handlers to surrender them to the relevant authorities, saying the firearms are the property of the armed forces.

Equatorial state governor speaks

The governor of South Sudan's Equatorial State, Louis Lobong, said he was disturbed by the death of Kodet.

“Our challenge is now to protect the gains made by the deceased,” Lobong noted.

What Teso said

Works state minister Musa Ecweru said he was equally saddened by the death of Kodet, an entrepreneur who has kept his legacy.

“Kodet and his partner Col. Omaria helped me very much. The positive actions in my life are theirs, but the negative ones are mine," he said, causing endless laughter among the multitude of mourners. 

Dignitaries who attended Lorika's burial included a section of lawmakers, the Emorimor, staff of Centenary Bank and local leaders.

Others are members of the Ateker team from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Karamoja and Teso.

Who was Lorika?

Born on Christmas Day of 1939 to Lorika Isaac and Ngiro Laker, Kodet’s life journey was marked by humble beginnings and bold ambition.

He studied at Lotome Primary School, Lotome Junior Secondary School and Athi River Veterinary Institute before embarking on a diverse career.

He worked as a medical nurse at Moroto Hospital, later rising to factory superintendent at Uganda Meat Packers, a facility he eventually bought together with Col Omaria. He also promoted Karamoja programs on Radio Uganda and spearheaded mechanised agriculture in Namalu.

Kodet went on to build a business empire that included Apule Safari Lodge in Mbale, Katurum Lodge in Kidepo, Mt Moroto Hotel and Aero Beach Entebbe.

Between 1979 and 2025, he emerged as one of Uganda’s most prominent businessmen and served as an officer in charge of the Karamoja Traders Association.

He is survived by 11 children, among them Manchester University-schooled chemical engineer George Lorika Kodet and 38 grandchildren.