Slain Vision Group scribe laid to rest

By Steven Candia                  

The curtain finally came down on Wednesday on Thomas Pere, with a rallying call made at his burial for journalists to remain steadfast in their job despite the risks they face.

Presiding over the burial mass at Ajujo Village, Adjumani district, the Reverend Wilbert Onencan, the Chaplin of Alere Secondary School, noted that journalists continue to perform a noble duty even in the face of risks, some of them life threatening.

Citing an example of Pere, he however urged journalists to remain unwavering in discharging their duties because apart from informing the public they offer a platform for the voiceless and hold institutions and government officials to explain.

“Journalists sacrifice and pass through a lot for a just cause. Let Thomas's death not be in vain you must continue with courage in what you do despite the risks you face," Onencan said adding that journalists are faced with lots of risks on a daily basis.

“But I know that despite the many challenges the media is doing their best and please keep it up," he said in his sermon hinged on righteousness.

"What we must fight for while alive is being a righteous person with our total dependence on God and trusting him through and through," he said adding that he is convinced that Pere who had dedicated his life to serving the Lord is now in the right place.

Going by the powerful eulogies delivered, he wondered why Pere was killed in such manner. "Why should you hit such a good person to death," he wondered but urged mourners to pray to God to forgive Pere's murderers.

Jimmy Adriko, the New Vision Photo editor speaking at the burial said news about the sudden death of Pere had shocked the company. He described Pere as dedicated journalist with a passion for sports and environment and as a caring person always willing to help.

"He cared very deeply for the well-being of his colleagues. We will miss him dearly," Adriko said. Born to Tako Charles, a retired civil servant and Agnes Namukosa, Pere was the third born in a family of six.

His distraught father, speaking after the mass said there are questions that still remain unanswered. He repeatedly kept asking why assailants took the life of his son.

"From what was said here it is clear that he (Pere) was a good person. So why did they kill him? Is it because of the stories he was writing or because of a politically charged atmosphere?" he asked. 

Anthony Olouch who spoke on behalf of Pere's friends described him as a humble, straight forward and industrious man, who besides journalism ventured in a number of enterprises.

"His hand was always full with work to do and may that explains why he always left the New vision late," Olouch said adding that it is unfortunate that Pere's life was cut short before his dreams could come true.

Pere was found murdered on Monday morning after leaving the New Vision head office on Sunday night. His body was dumped in a trench in Masajja, Wakiso district, highlighting a disturbing rise in homicides, partly fueled by iron bar hit men and taxi gangsters.

According to an interim post mortem report cited the cause of death as blunt force trauma, given that Pere had suffered two broken collar bones and depression in forehead.