SERERE | OKABE | WIFE | BURIED

The Member of Parliament for Serere County Bishop Patrick Okabe and his wife Christine Okabe have been laid to rest in Oburin village, Oburin town council, Serere district.

Okabe and his wife died in a road accident at Naboa in Budaka district along the Mbale-Iganga highway on December 19, 2022.

President Yoweri Museveni, whose message was delivered by Vice-President Jessica Alupo, commiserated with the people of Serere County and the NRM Party, upon the loss of a dedicated and patriotic leader Okabe.

Museveni said Okabe understood the true role of leadership, especially at the national level.

"For us, in the NRM, we consider responsible leadership as one which can correctly diagnose the challenges or bottlenecks of society and prescribe the right cure to them," the President said.

He added: "Our view of leadership is that a leader must be a change agent. He must transform society and elevate his people to commendable standards of living".

Museveni said Okabe performed well and that he is proud of his achievements in transforming the livelihoods of the people of Serere County.

According to the President, Okabe ably represented and championed the legitimate interests of the people of Serere County and Uganda at large.

"Okabe and his wife will be remembered for offering spiritual guidance to the faithful of Impact Ministry Church in Mbale. Their wisdom, compassion, and charity towards the orphans, the sick, will be missed," he said.

"On behalf of the NRM party, the Government, and Ugandans, I convey heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family, Serere County, the Parliament, Impact Ministry Church, and the entire Country, upon the loss of a dear father, and son, friend, colleague and national leader," Museveni added.

Mp Okabe

Museveni, who contributed Sh10m towards burial expenses, said words cannot describe the pain and sorrow that come with the loss of such important pillars in society.

Counsellor in Parliament

Deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa said Okabe has been their counselor in Parliament.

"He was a father figure, unifier, peacemaker and as Parliament, we have lost a father," Tayebwa said.

He told politicians to learn that power means nothing, but God means everything. He also supported the idea of having Emmanuel Okabe replace his father in Parliament.

Eastern region NRM chairperson Mike Mukula thanked the people of Serere for giving them Okabe, saying there is a reason for everything and they should stand strong in God.

He, however, said the vision of the late Okabe has to live on and it can only live on when he gets replaced by his son Emmanuel Okabe adding that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

Unifier in family

Okabe's brother, Stephen Ochola, said the late Okabe, who has been the unifier in the family, was the 3rd born. 

He revealed that Okabe built churches across Teso and Bugisu regions, adding that his wife whom they referred to as 'Mama' was a loving person.

The Emormori, thanked God for the life of Okabe saying the late Patrick loved his cultural institution and supported it both financially and spiritually.

Emmanuel Okabe son of the late thanked the Government through the Vice-President for standing with them during this trying time.

He said whatever his father started shall be completed. 

"I'm a proud Muteso. I want to see our people's lives lifted. If it means building hospitals, schools, and roads, we shall build them," he said.

"I have been following whatever my father has been doing. My father told me to love the people of Teso and this region shall raise and prosper," he added.

He concluded by accepting to take up the mantle from his father and thanked President Museveni and the First Lady for the emotional and financial support accorded to the family.