Rev. Fr. Lokodo’s two platforms
Mar 30, 2009
A macho-man with a big round face sits facing the door. In front of him is a table with a laptop, files and a phone set. Next to his table are two ladies. One keeps answering phone calls, while the other is working on a computer. There are just two small
By Arthur Baguma
A macho-man with a big round face sits facing the door. In front of him is a table with a laptop, files and a phone set. Next to his table are two ladies. One keeps answering phone calls, while the other is working on a computer. There are just two small chairs for visitors on the right hand side of the room near the exit. From the window you can see moving cars and people across the street.
“Are you the one who has been tracking me for days?†he asks in a deep voice as I step forward to greet him. My answer is a strong yes. “What do you want from me,†he asks again in a rather husky voice. “People want to know who Father Lokodo is,†I reply. But you know me, he says, before giving me a two-page print out of his Curriculum Vitae.
I reluctantly pick it up but insist that his Curriculum Vitae cannot make a story. After a debate on this, he agrees to an interview. He talks with a lot of energy, occasionally using gestures to emphasise a point. Activity in his small office moves at a break-neck speed. His small office is located on Bauman House, Parliament Avenue.
As we start off the interview, a young man, most probably one of his constituents comes in with a bunch of papers. He engages him in a discussion. They later conclude what seems like a project proposal to donors-to help his constituents.
Fr. Simon Lokodo is a dark, tall man with a deep voice; he is the new state minister for industry and the Member of Parliament for Dodoth County in Kotido, now Kaabong District.
His entry into politics was because of an un-unfortunate event. The MP elect then, Ark Lodou Ael, succumbed to cancer shortly before the swearing-in ceremony.
A formidable replacement that would fit in the shoes of Lodou had to be got in the shortest time possible. The people of Dodoth approached Fr. Simon Lokodo, a cousin to the deceased. His call was a mission— to deliver the people of Dodoth to where his cousin had promised to deliver them. “The voice of the people is the voice of God and that is how I ended up in politics. When they spoke with one voice that I represent them, I humbly took on the task,†Lokodo explains how he ended up in parliament.
However, press reports have intimated that he has been suspended from the Catholic Church for engaging in partisan politics. But Lokodo insists that communication has not reached him about that issue.
“I am still a practising priest. Nobody has communicated to me that I was suspended. Even if they insist on suspending me, they cannot strip me of being a priest, they will only stop me from carrying out some activities, but not to stop me from serving as a priest,†the minister says.
Before joining politics, the 51-year-old priest was mainly known within church circles. Lokodo says he had no problems making the transition from the pulpit to the platform.
In parliament, he has proved a level-headed and hardworking legislator, rising through the ranks to become chairperson of the Karamoja parliamentary group. Despite joining active politics, Lokodo highly treasures the chastity, celibacy and poverty vows he took.
He continues with his pastoral work at Kareng Catholic Parish. From Monday to Thursday, he is at Parliament. Between Friday and Sunday, he is in Kareng tending God’s flock.
Lokodo has big plans for his ministry. “I would like to see a ministry which delivers,†Lokodo says.
Implementation of the industrialisation Policy is one of his key action points. The policy is a framework for transformation, and to realise prosperity for all.
By transforming raw materials into finished goods, he says Uganda will become an exporting nation. “If we establish rural and small scale industries at grassroots level, it would deter rural-urban influx,†Lokodo notes. He, however, says this can only be achieved in a corruption—free environment. “I am not going to tolerate corruption. It is a setback to development,†he warns.
However, Lokodo would by now, like many people in his village, be tending cows and running after cattle rustlers. His father did not want him to go to school preferring that the energetic boy stays home and looks after cattle.
“The animals were raided by the Turkana—that is why I got a chance to go to school, As a student, he witnessed events in Karamoja which shaped his view of life. Famine and killings were the order of the day especially between 1982 and 1985. “I vowed to all in my power to end the situation. And as a priest, I dedicated my time to doing social work with the communities.â€
As he settles in office, Lokodo is happy that today a lot has changed in Karamoja. There is less insecurity and less killings in the region.
Lokodo was born in Narengepak to the late John Look and Elizabeth Eryong. He studied at Nadiket Seminary, Moroto in 1973 and later enrolled at Nadiket Seminary where he completed the East African Certificate of Education in 1977.
Lokodo is a reserved man, although on issues of his electorate, he does not mince words. Last year, Lokodo was one of the MPs who strongly condemned then Karamoja affairs minister, Aston Kajara, for alleging that the Karimojong ate rats because they consider them a delicacy.
Lokodo is probably the most multi-lingual member of the eighth Parliament. Besides his mother tongue, he is fluent in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. He was also involved in translating the Bible into Akarimojong.
-------------
FACT FILE
-------------
Academics
1996: M.A Biblical Theology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1985: B.A Theology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1984: Diploma Social Communication (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1983: Diploma Rural Sociology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1981: Diploma Philosophy and Social Sciences (Alokolum National Seminary, Gulu)
And certificates in Italian Language, French and German.
His work
2006 todate: Member of Parliament
2000-2006: Parish priest Karenga Catholic Parish Kotido Diocese
1997-2000: Bible translator-Kangole Catechist Training Centre
1991-1994: Coordinator Social Services and Development Kotido Diocese.
1987-1994: Parish Priest Kaabong Catholic Parish, Kotido diocese.
Others
-Member Board of Governors Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi
-In Charge Lay Apostolate Moroto Diocese
-Chairman Hospital Management Committee- Kaabong Hospital
-Chairman Investment committee-Karenga Sub-county
-Chairman School Management Committee Loyoro Napore Primary school
-Chairman liturgical committee Moroto Diocese
-Chairman Health Unit Management Committee Karenga Health Centre
Languages spoken
English, Italian, German and French. Latin, Greek and Hebrew
A macho-man with a big round face sits facing the door. In front of him is a table with a laptop, files and a phone set. Next to his table are two ladies. One keeps answering phone calls, while the other is working on a computer. There are just two small chairs for visitors on the right hand side of the room near the exit. From the window you can see moving cars and people across the street.
“Are you the one who has been tracking me for days?†he asks in a deep voice as I step forward to greet him. My answer is a strong yes. “What do you want from me,†he asks again in a rather husky voice. “People want to know who Father Lokodo is,†I reply. But you know me, he says, before giving me a two-page print out of his Curriculum Vitae.
I reluctantly pick it up but insist that his Curriculum Vitae cannot make a story. After a debate on this, he agrees to an interview. He talks with a lot of energy, occasionally using gestures to emphasise a point. Activity in his small office moves at a break-neck speed. His small office is located on Bauman House, Parliament Avenue.
As we start off the interview, a young man, most probably one of his constituents comes in with a bunch of papers. He engages him in a discussion. They later conclude what seems like a project proposal to donors-to help his constituents.
Fr. Simon Lokodo is a dark, tall man with a deep voice; he is the new state minister for industry and the Member of Parliament for Dodoth County in Kotido, now Kaabong District.
His entry into politics was because of an un-unfortunate event. The MP elect then, Ark Lodou Ael, succumbed to cancer shortly before the swearing-in ceremony.
A formidable replacement that would fit in the shoes of Lodou had to be got in the shortest time possible. The people of Dodoth approached Fr. Simon Lokodo, a cousin to the deceased. His call was a mission— to deliver the people of Dodoth to where his cousin had promised to deliver them. “The voice of the people is the voice of God and that is how I ended up in politics. When they spoke with one voice that I represent them, I humbly took on the task,†Lokodo explains how he ended up in parliament.
However, press reports have intimated that he has been suspended from the Catholic Church for engaging in partisan politics. But Lokodo insists that communication has not reached him about that issue.
“I am still a practising priest. Nobody has communicated to me that I was suspended. Even if they insist on suspending me, they cannot strip me of being a priest, they will only stop me from carrying out some activities, but not to stop me from serving as a priest,†the minister says.
Before joining politics, the 51-year-old priest was mainly known within church circles. Lokodo says he had no problems making the transition from the pulpit to the platform.
In parliament, he has proved a level-headed and hardworking legislator, rising through the ranks to become chairperson of the Karamoja parliamentary group. Despite joining active politics, Lokodo highly treasures the chastity, celibacy and poverty vows he took.
He continues with his pastoral work at Kareng Catholic Parish. From Monday to Thursday, he is at Parliament. Between Friday and Sunday, he is in Kareng tending God’s flock.
Lokodo has big plans for his ministry. “I would like to see a ministry which delivers,†Lokodo says.
Implementation of the industrialisation Policy is one of his key action points. The policy is a framework for transformation, and to realise prosperity for all.
By transforming raw materials into finished goods, he says Uganda will become an exporting nation. “If we establish rural and small scale industries at grassroots level, it would deter rural-urban influx,†Lokodo notes. He, however, says this can only be achieved in a corruption—free environment. “I am not going to tolerate corruption. It is a setback to development,†he warns.
However, Lokodo would by now, like many people in his village, be tending cows and running after cattle rustlers. His father did not want him to go to school preferring that the energetic boy stays home and looks after cattle.
“The animals were raided by the Turkana—that is why I got a chance to go to school, As a student, he witnessed events in Karamoja which shaped his view of life. Famine and killings were the order of the day especially between 1982 and 1985. “I vowed to all in my power to end the situation. And as a priest, I dedicated my time to doing social work with the communities.â€
As he settles in office, Lokodo is happy that today a lot has changed in Karamoja. There is less insecurity and less killings in the region.
Lokodo was born in Narengepak to the late John Look and Elizabeth Eryong. He studied at Nadiket Seminary, Moroto in 1973 and later enrolled at Nadiket Seminary where he completed the East African Certificate of Education in 1977.
Lokodo is a reserved man, although on issues of his electorate, he does not mince words. Last year, Lokodo was one of the MPs who strongly condemned then Karamoja affairs minister, Aston Kajara, for alleging that the Karimojong ate rats because they consider them a delicacy.
Lokodo is probably the most multi-lingual member of the eighth Parliament. Besides his mother tongue, he is fluent in English, Italian, French, German and Spanish. He was also involved in translating the Bible into Akarimojong.
-------------
FACT FILE
-------------
Academics
1996: M.A Biblical Theology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1985: B.A Theology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1984: Diploma Social Communication (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1983: Diploma Rural Sociology (Urban University of Rome-Italy)
1981: Diploma Philosophy and Social Sciences (Alokolum National Seminary, Gulu)
And certificates in Italian Language, French and German.
His work
2006 todate: Member of Parliament
2000-2006: Parish priest Karenga Catholic Parish Kotido Diocese
1997-2000: Bible translator-Kangole Catechist Training Centre
1991-1994: Coordinator Social Services and Development Kotido Diocese.
1987-1994: Parish Priest Kaabong Catholic Parish, Kotido diocese.
Others
-Member Board of Governors Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi
-In Charge Lay Apostolate Moroto Diocese
-Chairman Hospital Management Committee- Kaabong Hospital
-Chairman Investment committee-Karenga Sub-county
-Chairman School Management Committee Loyoro Napore Primary school
-Chairman liturgical committee Moroto Diocese
-Chairman Health Unit Management Committee Karenga Health Centre
Languages spoken
English, Italian, German and French. Latin, Greek and Hebrew