Who was the Adhola queen?

By Jane Frances Alowo

Padhola is in deep mourning.

The Adha Adhola who rested on Monday, was a devoted and loving mother, wife, grandmother and care giver whose family and friends were the centre of her life.

Many, many children grew up under her care and she made each and every one of them feel they were her absolute favourite.

No celebration seemed to be complete without her. And in whatever corner of her family there was pain, sorrow, illness or any form of distress, she would be there to help and as soon as she arrived, the scale of the adversity seemed to shrink!

And yet she still had room in her heart to know and love the people in her immediate community, the wider Jopadhola community and the people from many diverse backgrounds in Uganda and beyond whom she interacted with everyday. 

 Her generosity was legendary and her house was always full of people who were drawn by her charm, warm welcome, friendliness and civility. For all these, she was an advisor, a wise counsellor, a gender expert and a prayer warrior. She would listen attentively and empathetically then in her thoughtful way, give advice that was honest candid and yet full of compassion.

Her rare gift of foresight made her ideally suited to the role of peacemaker, arbitrator and problem solver that she played. She seemed to have the capacity of looking deep down into people’s souls to read their thoughts, feelings and characters accurately.

This, coupled with her sharp and astute mind was invaluable in enabling her to reconcile people across religious, political, ethnic and other sectarian divides. Nothing made her happier than seeing her family community and country living in harmony.

H. H.The Adha dhola  Cecilia  Awor Owor was born in 1935 to Alinos and Maxencia Oringo of Paya,  Barinyang, the 5th of 6 children.  She got married to H. H Moses Steven Owor in 1951. 

She was a staunch Catholic who was devoted to Mother Mary whose intercession she constantly sought. Several times a day, she would recite her Rosary and ask Our Lady to pray for her whether in petition or thanksgiving in her every trial or triumph.

As a strong pillar in the church, she was a leader of the Catholic Women’s Guild  On the day of her final journey, as she sensed her end drawing near, she held on to her Rosary and as  her life ebbed away, placed the Rosary on her chest next to her heart. 

 She was very passionate about education especially for the marginalised and the girl child even though her own education background was modest.  It was not unusual to find her looking keenly through children’s books and asking them about their performance on school open days. While she was a strict disciplinarian and very organised, she always open to a candid discussion with the youth on any issue.

To this end, she was the Patron of the Adha Adhola Education fund.

She was very developmental and dedicated to helping people to come out of poverty. To this end she put her extensive knowledge on farming, enterprise, and management of financial and other resources at the disposal of the many people who needed advice, mentoring, support and encouragement.

She is survived by her husband, H.H Kwar Adhola 10 children (4 boys’ six girls) 33 grand children.  

Adha Adhola was mother to Charles Owor, Jane Kabbale, Grace Ochwo, Magaret Alwala, Stephen Owor, Maxie Owach Owor, Wilbrod Owor, Mary Apio Mwanja, Joseph Odongo, Olive Akello Ssekito.  May her soul rest in Eternal Peace.

Burial arrangments June 23, 2012

8am-10am VIEWING BODY

10am-12noon  SPEECHES

12PM-2PM MASS

2PM-2.30PM LAYING OF WREATHS

3PM BURIAL

4PM LUNCH

4PM-5pm DEPARTURES