No foul play in Makmot's death - Police

A cross-section of mourners during the funeral service of Police Commissioner Okello Wilfred Makmot at All Saints Cathedral Nakasero on Friday. Photos by Mathias Mazinga

Police Commissioner Okello Wilfred Makmot's death was caused by a blood clot, which blocked the vessels in his right lung and stifled his ability to breath.

Makmot, the immediate former Coordinator for National Focal Point on small arms and light weapons at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, collapsed and died in Dubai on July 8.

He was returning from the US, where he had been attending a global conference on combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. He was aged 55 years.

Makmot's post-mortem report was revealed by the Uganda Police Director of Health Services, AIGP Dr. Moses Byaruhanga, during the deceased's funeral service at All Saints' Cathedral, Nakasero in Kampala, on Friday (July 20).

The Director of Uganda Police Health Services AIGP Dr Moses Byaruhanga delivers  the post-mortem report of the late Makmot

"We did another post-mortem examination after the one that had been done in Dubai. It was a very transparent autopsy examination, which was also witnessed by the relatives of the diseased. I assure you that we never detected any foul-play in the death of our brother Makmot. His death was a consequence of a blood clot that blocked vessels in his right lung. He subsequently failed to breath, collapsed and died at a lodge in Dubai. Apparently this was caused by the relatively long flight he had had," said Dr Byaruhanga.

Makmot's funeral service was graced by hundreds of government, security and cultural officials, who all spoke highly of his exemplary service in the Police, ministry of internal affairs and the United Nations.

The Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola described Makmot as a disciplined, experienced and hardworking officer. He urged the Police Officers to emulate his professionalism.

The minister of lands, Betty Amongi (chief mourner), who represented President Yoweri Museveni, spoke highly of Makmot's commitment to ending crime in Uganda and Africa.

 Mourners laying a wreath

She asked the Police to continue Makmot's legacy by working even harder to end crime in the country. Amongi later delivered President Museveni's sh10m cash contribution towards the funeral arrangements. She also donated sh1m.

The director of Traffic and Road Safety, AIGP Dr. Stephen Kasiima described Makmot as a "courageous and talented Police Officer," who always came up with unique and highly effective solutions to complicated problems. Kasiima attributed the restoration of peace in Liberia's district of Yekepa (Nimba region, 2005-2006) to Makmot.

"The situation there was very complicated. There were hundreds of ex-combatants who were marauding and causing havoc. The UN peace-keepers from countries like the US and Bangladesh feared to work in that region. But Makmot volunteered to work in the area.

Within just one year, he had disarmed all the fighting groups and restored total peace. He just used one simple strategy, the beautiful game of football, during which he would convince the ex-combatants to surrender their guns."

Rev Canon Johnson Ebong, the homilist, asked Christians to emulate Makmot's commitment to Jesus. He lamented the sub-culture of selfishness and materialism, which he said had made many people lose focus of the heavenly things.

 "I was told some Ugandans move with billions of cash in their cars. Others keep the billions in their bedrooms. What does it benefit you to keep all that money when your brethren are poor? Will you be buried with that money when you die? Our brother Makmot loved God. He brought all his family and children to the Church. Show your love for him by emulating his commitment to Jesus. Use this occasion to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour."

The wife of the deceased, Dorothy Nyomoloya Okello and the daughter, Cynthia Akite thanked President Museveni and his government, the Police, relatives and friends for the enormous moral and financial support they have given the family.

Dorothy Nyomoloya Okello delivering her speech

Makmot was also mourned by the King of Lango (Won Nyaci me Lango), His Royal Highness Adwong Yosam Odur-Ebii. His message was delivered by the cultural institution's Ambassador Plenipotentiary (in charge of Kampala and the Diaspora), George Atim.

Further tributes were paid by the Chairman of the Lango Community in Kampala and Jinja, Richard Olet Pule, the head of the Arak-Caba clan (of the Langi), Engineer Richard Cong and the Secretary General of the Inter-religious Council of Uganda, Joshua Kitakule.

Afande Makmot was buried at his ancestral home, at Acaba, in Oyam district, on Saturday.

Factfile

Police Commissioner Okello Wilfred Makmot was born on September 23, 1963 to Imat Nora Akite and Yokoyakim  Ocen (RIP), who lived in Oyam.

He studied at Acaba PS, Wigwen PS, Kabaleega SS and Lango College. He progressed to Makerere University, where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Sociology.

He subsequently served the Police force in places like Luweero (OC Police Station), Entebbe Airport (Commandant Airport Security Force), Bombo (OC Police Stations), Nsambya (OC Discipline, Nsambya Police Barracks), Kotido (District CID Officer), Kapchorwa (District CID Officer), Kumi (District CID Officer) and Soroti (District CID Officer).

He further worked at CID Headquarters (District CID Officer), CPS Kampala (OC, anti-robbery squad), Bushenyi district (District Police Commander), Luweero District (District Police Commander), Katwe (District Police Commander), Liberia (UN Mission), North-west (Arua, Regional Police Commander), Katakwi (Commandant, Anti-Stock Theft Unit), Police Headquarters (Commissioner, Private Security) and finally, ministry of internal affairs  (Coordinator, national Focal Point on small arms and light weapons).