___________________

ZOMBO - Zombo Resident District Commissioner (RDC), retired Lt. Col Pius Alitema, is dead.

Before he was appointed RDC, Alitema was Deputy Director Internal Security Organisation (ISO) where he served for more than 30 years at different levels.  Records show that he was  Executive Assistant to the Director General and overseer of Political Administration.

Close family and friends have reported that he passed on Friday, March 8th aboard an ambulance, as he was being rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital. 

The RDC was first taken to Holy Family Hospital-Nyapea where his condition deteriorated.

The cause of death of the veteran soldier is still unclear but he had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure.

Zombo district Chairperson, James Oyullu-Oruna told New Vision that the deceased passed on after complaining of body weakness. 

"Despite this, he was working and moving about normally. Even yesterday (Thursday) he travelled to his village in Maracha and returned to Zombo,” said Oyullu.

He reported that the deceased's driver on Friday morning, called him alerting that his boss was unwell.  

"Lt. Col Alitema was taken to Nyapea hospital but his condition worsened. He died in the ambulance, as he was being rushed to Arua Regional Referral Hospital," the Chairperson added.

Rtd LT Col Alitema's contribution to peace in Zombo

Taking over the RDC office, Alitema replaced Andrew Kanjoingi in 2022. His skills in handling land disputes and other corruption-related issues stand out among the public in Zombo.

Alitema was transferred to Zombo at the time when the area was under threat of infiltration by people involved in subversive activities.

He is said to be among leaders who spearheaded efforts to ensure that members of a rebel group abandon their subversive activities and return home.  

In July last year, Alitema received 15 members of the Uganda Homeland Liberation Front accused of orchestrating attacks on the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) detach in Teru village, Zeu sub-county Zombo district after they were given amnesty by Uganda.

In May 2023, hundreds of Congolese, mostly Alur by tribe, fled into Uganda following clashes between clan leaders near the border town of Padea and Jang-Okoro sub-county in the Zombo district. Many of the asylum seekers took refuge at the border town of Padea and some parts of Jangokoro sub-county.

In a peace-building mission, following the influx,  Rtd Lt Col Pius Alitema and the LCV chairperson of Zombo district led a delegation from Uganda for talks with officials from Mahagi Territory in DR Congo over the Territorial boundaries.