Thousands bid farewell to ex-NEMA boss Dr Okurut in Kumi
Apr 20, 2024
Okurut, the former executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), died of cardiac arrest last Sunday (April 14) in Kampala.
former executive director of the National Environment Management Authority. (File photo)
Godfrey Ojore
Journalist @New Vision
___________________ Mourners pay their respect to the late Tom Okurut. (Photo by Godfrey Ojore)
On the grounds of Akadot Primary School in Kadami sub-county, Kumi district 51 years ago studied a little boy who would later turn into a stalwart in Uganda's environment fraternity.
Known for being a jovial man, Dr Tom Okurut would today have taken his friends on a tour of his former primary, showing them the site of the classrooms he studied in and the football field where he used to dribble a ball made out of rags.
On Friday, thousands gathered at the school's grounds to say farewell to Okurut, whose casket stood in the middle of what used to be the football pitch.
Okurut, the former executive director of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), died of cardiac arrest last Sunday (April 14) in Kampala.
Mourners traveled from far and wide to pay their respects to a man who has been eulogized as an outstanding climate change activist, policy formulator, and environmentalist officer with distinguished character in service.
Okurut retired as NEMA boss two years ago but continued to serve his country in different capacities.
At the time of his death, he was the executive director of Climate Change Action for East Africa, Kampala.
Back at home in Teso, he was serving as the chairperson of the board of Teso College Aloet, his former school.
His last appearance at Teso College was on March 30 this year when he received Vice-President Jessica Alupo, who was the chief guest at the commissioning of a school lab block.
Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, a senior presidential advisor, was the chief mourner at Friday's burial service.
Other notable mourners in attendance included the Deputy Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Samuel Okiding, ministers Hellen Adoa, Musa Ecweru, Sedonious Okaasai, FDC party president Eng. Patrick Amuriat Oboi, MPs and other dignitaries.
“He supported us in many ways, built a church and a self-contained house of the reverend. During festive sessions, he would slaughter bulls and invite people to feast with him,” recalls one Ben Ibwale.
The Anglican bishop of Kumi diocese, Michael Okwii Eskahan, presided over the service.
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