Soroti's Bishop Geresom Ilukor: 1935 - 2013

By Jonathan Angura & Godfrey Ojore

Teso mourns the fall of a pillar. The Bishop Emeritus of Soroti Anglican diocese, Geresom Ilukor, passed on after a snake bite. Tragedy befell Ilukor when a cobra bit him from his home in Codong village, Kidongole sub-county in Bukedea district on August 30.

He was taken to Mbale Hospital but on the morning of Sunday September 1, Teso woke up to a rude shock when the sad news of his demise broke out.true

Narrating the ordeal of a man described by Teso as a hero, his sister-in-law, Tereza Amuron, told mourners at his home in Codong that it happened at about 7:00am local time (EAT).

She said Ilukor had gone into the store to sort out bags containing maize, sorghum and other items when the cobra bit him.

“It was about seven o’clock in the morning when the snake (right) bit him on the left foot. I came and found that the snake had entered into a sack containing maize in the store, so we tactfully pulled the sack out and killed it,” said Amuron.

She explained that soon after the snake bit him, he told his wife Loy Mary Aluka and they tied the leg with a piece of cloth. He was asked to drink raw eggs to make him vomit, while a nurse from a nearby health centre was called in to give first aid.

Amuron said it is believed the snake bit Ilukor twice in the foot.

“The piece of cloth used to tie the leg was removed and he looked fine. He was then driven in his car to Kumi where he said he was going to see a sick person,” Amuron explained.

She said midway the journey, Ilukor started feeling unwell and abandoned the journey. He then called a friend, Joseph Ariong, from Mbale who went and picked him up and took him to Mbale Hospital from where he passed away.

“He has been my father who used to help me in everything. He educated me,” said a teary Desderio Emuron, the bishop’s youngest brother.

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Mourners gathered at Bishop Ilukor’s home in Bukedea. Circled red is the store in which he was bitten by the snake.

Born on March 2, 1935 to Jacob Opolot and Juleri Akol, both deceased and from Akibui village, in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district, Ilukor was the second born, following twins who died at birth in a family of four boys and three girls. Emuron, 64, is the only child in the family who is still alive.

They belong to the Irarak Ajukok clan.

Ilukor was baptised at St. Stephen’s Church Kumi by Rev. Yonosani Lutale in 1946 and confirmed by Bishop Usher Wilson in 1949.

His nephew, Rev. Charles Okunya, said it was Ilukor’s wish to be buried at that church, which wish shall be fulfilled.

 Education

Ilukor studied at Akibui and Kumi sub-grade schools before joining Kumi Primary School where he studied up to Primary Six.

From 1954 to 1955, he underwent a Lay readers’ course at the Deanary Training Centre Ngora where he got a First Letter (certificate).

He attended Buwalasi Theological College from 1958 to 1959 for a special course which earned him a Lay reader’s Second Letter.

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Here, he shares a light moment with minister Musa Ecweru (L) and Soroti Municipality MP Mike Mukula. PHOTO/File

Ilukor served as a Lay reader in various places in Kumi starting with St. Stephen’s Church Kumi, Agule, Kabata and Ajeluk.

He also worked as a clerk in a cotton ginnery in Kumi.

In 1957, he married Loy Mary Aluka, the daughter of Pasilio Epoi and Angelina Aguti, both deceased and from Kakomongole village in Atutur sub-county, Kumi district.

In 1960, Ilukor attended urban training in Mbale and from 1963 to 1964, he took an ordination course in Buwalasi Theological College and was ordained a deacon in 1964 by Bishop Stephen Tomusange. His first posting as a deacon was St. Philip’s Pro-Cathedral Ngora in 1964 and St. Mark’s Church Serere in 1965.

In January 1966, he was ordained a priest at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Soroti by Bishop Asanasio Maraka.

In 1967, he was appointed diocesan treasurer and handed 50 cents to kick-start his work. He also worked as diocesan secretary.

Between 1974 and 1975, Ilukor attained parish experience training at St. John's College in Nottingham, UK.

In 1975, he was elected a bishop and on January 11, 1976 he was appointed the Bishop of Soroti Diocese at St. Paul Cathedral Namirembe in Kampala, together with Melchizedek Otim of Lango diocese and Rev. Brian Herd of Karamoja Diocese. Ilukor was the second African bishop of Soroti diocese after replacing Asanasio Maraka.

He retired in 2000 after serving as a bishop for 25 years and was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Dr. Charles Obaikol Ebitu, who served for 10 years before handing over the mantle to Bishop George William Erwau.

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President Yoweri Museveni pays his last respects to the fallen bishop at a relative's home on Monday/PPU.

Ilukor was influential in the splitting of Soroti Diocese to form Kumi Diocese led by Bishop Thomas Edison Irigei, while Erwau leads the mother Soroti Diocese.

Ilukor also served Teso region in various capacities, including being chairman board of governors in various institutions that include Ngora High School, Bukedea, Wiggins, Amuria and Ngora Girls secondary schools, Kumi Technical School and Ngora Freda Carr Hospital.

He was a member of Kumi University Council and a member of the committee that created Teso University.

At the time of his death, Ilukor was writing a book on his life, work and achievements and was being assisted by Rev. Charles Okunya, the Kumi diocesan coordinator.

Ilukor is survived by seven children. He has left 23 grandchildren.