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Dr Martin Jerome Okec Aliker made it a long-life wish that when he passes on, they should donate money to the needy children in Acholi region rather than laying wreaths and other floral gifts on his casket.

Aliker, 96, a dental surgeon and businessman, even gave the bank account and mobile money number where the money should be deposited in support of education for needy children in Acholi.

“Wreaths are discouraged. In the place of the wreaths and other floral gifts, mourners are requested instead to consider making a contribution to: Rocco Paco- Dero Kwan Education Initiative, Bank of Africa – Gulu Branch Account No. 07659660002 or via mobile money 0772725196 in support of education for needy children in Acholi,” reads part of Aliker’s funeral programme.

Aliker, also a golfer and former trustee and life member of the Uganda Golf Club died on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Nakasero Hospital.

President Yoweri Museveni has accorded Aliker an official burial, in line with Article 99 of the 1995 Constitution. Milly Babirye Babalanda, the Minister of the Presidency, confirmed the development on Monday.

Regarding official burial preparatory arrangements, the Government has constituted a hybrid of the national organising committee chaired by Babalanda with representatives from the family, who crafted a funeral programme.

According to the tentative funeral programme, there will be prayers and vigil at the late Aliker’s residence at Summit View, off Kololo Hill Lane, off Prince Charles Drive, on April 18, 2024.

Thereafter, a funeral service will be conducted at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero the following day (April 19, 2024) at 9:00 am before his body is taken to Gulu City.

While at Gulu City, another funeral service will be conducted for the late Aliker at St Philips Cathedral Mican and after the service, there will be a vigil at his final resting place at Aworanga. Burial will take place on Sunday at 1:00 pm.

The Government has promised to provide security at all venues, with all the security agencies briefed and key deployments undertaken to secure both life and property of all mourners.

The Uganda Police Force has also been directed to oversee all the official burial ceremonies including the gun salute at the burial. The neighbourhood has been encouraged to remain calm during the gun salute moment.

“The Government of Uganda sincerely commiserates with the family, the Anglican Church, the business fraternity and the rest of Ugandans on the passing away of an illustrious dental practitioner; politician and businessman who held several high positions in the immediate post-Independence Uganda,” Babalanda said.

She added, “On this sombre day, a great dark shadow has fallen and hangs upon this Pearl of Africa and by extension across the entire Acholi sub-region; where Aliker is no more”.

Babalanda said Aliker will be deeply missed not only by those who knew him; worked with him; and were led by him; but also, those who had a political as well as business career to learn from him.

Who was Aliker

Aliker was born in Gulu district on October 21, 1928 to Rwot Lacito Okech and Julaina Auma, a daughter of Musa Ali, the first ordained Anglican priest in Acholi.

He attended Gulu High School for his primary education, before transferring to Kings College Budo for O'Level.

In 1948, he was admitted to Makerere University, the oldest public university in East Africa. Before he could complete his studies at Makerere, he won a scholarship to Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois, United States, where he studied political science, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Following that, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study Dental Surgery, also at Northwestern, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Later, he was awarded the title of Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Aliker was a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Co-operation and Senior Presidential Advisor, Special Duties to the President of Uganda and sat on the board of directors of nearly 40 Ugandan companies.

He was the chancellor of Victoria University Uganda, a private Institution. 

From 2004 until 2014, he served as the founding chancellor of Gulu University, a public university.