Teso mourns Etilu

On November 10, three women became widows when their husband, Faustine Etilu, was pronounced dead at Mulago Hospital.

Etilu, the proprietor of Teso Coaches and the first Etesot to own a bus company, lost the battle to the deadly coronavirus, leaving behind 18 children.

"He loved everybody and supported many that approached him, regardless of tribe or religion. Etilu was a courageous man who worked hard not only for his family but also for Uganda," recounted his in-law, Dan Okiror, who started a second bus company called Kakise.

Etilu has been a household name in Teso and the news of his demise left the region in pain.

"I am struck by the demise of Etilu. I don't remember him because of the buses, but because he helped many in Teso," Patrick Elobu Angonu, a veteran journalist in Teso, said.

Etilu, who dropped out of school after Primary One at Amucu Primary School in Amuria district, employed many in his businesses that ranged from hotels, hardware shops and buses.

He started his journey of success by selling local brew in the Karamoja region at the peak of insurgency in Teso.

Robert Esaru, the acting division mayor of Soroti East, described Etilu as an obedient businessman, who never evaded taxes.

"His record is clean, unlike some businessmen who are dragged to Police for not paying their dues. Uganda has lost a friendly and loving man," Esaru said, adding that at one time, Etilu offered to carry his wife (Esaru's) on his lap from Mbale to Soroti, aboard a lorry, during the time Teso had no buses.

The Minister of State for ICT, Peter Ogwang, said the National Resistance Movement family has lost one of their great mobilisers, who used his resources in mobilising for the President.

On Friday, November 13, hundreds of mourners flocked Pope Paul Memorial grounds in Soroti city to receive the casket, but medics advised that it should be left in the hearse, until burial time, which was conducted by a team from the health ministry.

Who was EtilU? 

He was born on October 10, 1958, to Juventine Enyeu and Anna Magdalene Amutos of Apungure village, Odoon parish in Asamuk sub-county, Amuria district. He studied at Amucu Primary School where he stopped in Primary One. He married three women — Joyce Among, Sarah Achom and Tikla Akello, with whom he had 18 children (eight boys and 10 girls).

Sickness Etilu was first diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes and, for one week, he was receiving treatment at the Doctors Plaza in Soroti.

He was then transferred to Soroti Hospital, where he was tested for COVID-19 and found to be positive. He was referred to Mulago Hospital on November 9 since he had breathing challenges.

At about 10:00 am the next day, Etilu joined the over one million people who have lost the battle to COVID-19 globally. He was buried on Saturday, at his ancestral home in Asamuk, Amuria district.