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KAMPALA - Grief-filled mourners as they witnessed Dr Martin Aliker’s casket being rolled into All Saints Cathedral Church Kampala on Friday.

Friends and relatives including former Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki, IGG Beti Kamya, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa and other government officials gathered at the cathedral to celebrate the last funeral service of Aliker.

During the service, widow Camille Agnes Moore described her deceased husband as having been loving, handsome, and God-fearing.

“I met Martin in February of 1959, and we would celebrate 65 years of the wonderful marriage. For those of you who are mourning together with me, if you are contemplating marriage, if you are married, please have our Lord Jesus Christ as a partner in your marriage,” Moore said.

According to her, if you have many issues in your marriage, share your thoughts with Jesus, and maybe, 'some of you may also reach 65 years of marriage'.

“When I met Martin, it was an exciting experience. Martin was a very simple man and good-looking. He was a role model. Though my husband brought me here as a foreigner, this country and wonderful people became my home, and my life,” Moore said.

Because of Ugandan's hospitality and love, when Moore married Aliker, his family became her family. Also, her mother-in-law loved her and accepted her into their family.

During the funeral service, she also commended the Government and President Yoweri Museveni for giving her husband a state burial. Noting that she couldn’t imagine an official burial for Martin. Though she was surprised and she is very happy as well.

A great friend

Speaking on behalf of friends, John Mugerwa described Aliker as having been a distinguished gentleman, a wonderful person, and great friend.

Aliker died on April 15, 2024, at Nakasero Hospital Kampala. He is survived by his window Camille and his four children and grandchildren. He lived his life by his motto “Be true unto your self.” (All Photos by Juliet Kasirye)

“Martin was a great and knowledgeable man and he would even joke exploiting the different possible meanings of the mind. He never failed to make us laugh and chuckle when he engaged with friends. His taste for life was infectious, even when in the wheelchair, he approached life with boundary spirit rebounding us with stories that we ever felt entertained,” Mugerwa said.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa said in 2006, Makerere University advertised that they needed a chancellor, and at that time, since Tayebwa was the secretary for public relations for Makerere University convocation, as alumni, they agreed that they must take the lead in choosing who the best chancellor for MUK.

“We scanned through many Ugandans, and only one name could come to our hearts. That was Martin Aliker. However, when he gave us an appointment, unfortunately, he was already a chancellor for Gulu University and could not be a chancellor for another public university,” Tayebwa said.

Since Tayebwa was able to visit Aliker at the hospital, he appreciated Amos Nzenyi and Phillip who prepared him before meeting Aliker.

Because of Aliker’s health, Tayebwa said: “When I met Martin, and said I am Thomas, he pulled out his hand, and I held it and Bright said, he has smiled, and when I was leaving, he managed to remove his left hand and waved at me, and Bright said miracles can happen.”

Tayebwa described Aliker as someone he admired very much, especially looking at how he used to dance and move with his wife Camille.

The funeral service was presided over by Bishop Hannington Mutebi.

About Aliker

Aliker was born in Gulu District on October 21, 1928, to Rwot Lacito Okec and Julaina Auma. He attended Gulu High School for primary school before transferring to Kings College Budo for his ordinary level.

In 1948, he was admitted to Makerere University. However, before he could complete his studies at Makerere, he won a scholarship to Northwestern University, in Chicago, Illinois United States, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Aliker died on April 15, 2024, at Nakasero Hospital Kampala. He is survived by his window Camille and his four children and grandchildren. He lived his life by his motto “Be true unto your self.”