Prisons fallen director Ochen laid to rest
May 29, 2016
Ochen who rose through the ranks to become number three in the Uganda Prison Service died suddenly at Nakasero Hospital.
DOKOLO
Thousands of mourners gathered at Icule Village in Dokolo district to pay their last respect to fallen director correctional services of Uganda Prison Service, Tommy Ochen which occurred on Wednesday.
Ochen who rose through the ranks to become number three in the Uganda Prison Service died suddenly at Nakasero Hospital.
Pallbearers consisting of senior prisons officers rolled the casket draped in prisons flag and was lowered to the grave at 3:20pm after the guard of honour fired three volleys from rifles (gun salute) and bugle call (taps).
The body was laid to rest besides his wife Suzan Ochen who passed on in April 2015 and his daughter Phionah Vivienne Atim who passed on in October 2013.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, the Chief mourner Dr. Johnson Byabashaija described Ochen as a very bright and smart person in his squad and an integral member of the prisons service. "He was a very smart man, extremely smart, the example of the Prisons Service," Byabashaija said.
He urged Ochen's children to emulate their father. "You may not be as generous as he was but you can be amiable," he said.
He also urged his officers to emulate Ochen. "I know you are very hard, but try and emulate him," he said.
He also advised the upcoming officers to try and display some of Ochen's values.
Ochen's children commended the prison authorities for paying his medical bills. "You have given us a stress free funeral for our father," Emily Ochen said as she went down on her knees to commend Dr. Byabashaija.
Former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Julius Odwe, a friend to Ochen said he did a commendable job for Dokolo district.
He said at one time in 1980, he and Ochen approached the district commissioner of Lira and convinced him to send emergency relief food to the people of Dokolo (county) during famine in the area.
Odwe said Ochen did not become a high ranking officer in the prison service by accident but followed the traits of his great grandfather Okwanga Acur who was a Lango warrior.
He said Gen. Okwanga Acur was the one who led the Langi to fight the British in 1907.
Dokolo district chairperson Fredrick Dickens Odongo commended the prison authority for the solidarity and total support given for the funeral.
He said Ochen was a very committed, consistent and perfect person hence his status in the prisons service.
Biography
Ochen was born on October 15, 1958 to Mr. and Mrs. Faustino Omong of Icuule Village, Dokolo District.
He was enlisted in the Prison Service on May 1, 1981 as a cadet officer and emerged the best in class performance amongst his squad mates.
He completed training and was posted to Prisons Headquarters in November 1982.
He was confirmed Assistant Superintendent of Prison (ASP) in August 1985 and in March 1990, Ochen was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Prisons.
After two years, he was again promoted to rank of Senior Superintendent of Prisons.
He was promoted to rank of Assistant Commissioner of Prisons in 1999 and after five years, he was promoted to rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner of Prisons.
In September 2008, Ochen was appointed acting Director, correctional services at Prisons Headquarters.
In December 2009, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him director of prisons, a position he held till his death on May 25, 2016 at Nakasero Hospital.