Ex-legislator of Kongasis dies in accident
The late Bartile
Kampala-A former MP for Kongasis County in Bukwo District has died in a motor accident on Tirinyi Road in Iganga District.
Johnson Bartile Toskin died on the spot on Sunday evening after the car he was travelling on swerved off the road and overturned three times. He was 64.
The two-time representative of Kongasis in Parliament was travelling to Kampala from a burial in western Kenya together with his wife Mary Toskin and daughter Stella Toskin when the accident occurred. Bartile’s driver is reported to have disappeared after the incident. All the three other occupants escaped with minor injuries.
Relatives at the vigil of the former MP described him as an honest, reliable and down-to-earth person, who cherished serving the community before personal interests.
Members of Kapchemikwen Clan said the death of Bartile, who was clan chairman, had dealt them a heavy blow and left a gap hard to fill.
“He was a mentor to many, Pan Africanist, promoter of education, and was a committed Christian who spent his free time serving in church. In Parliament, he aimed at supporting community projects geared toward development,” his daughter, Rachael Chelimo said.
Meanwhile, members of the Sabiny Community in Kampala, including Sebei leaders such as Stephen Chebrot (Tingey), Tete Chelangat (Bukwo Woman) and Lydia Chekwel (Kween Woman) and relatives converged in Kampala yesterday to plan the burial arrangements.
The NRM Caucus vice chairperson, Mr Peter Ogwang, pledged to provide transport to Bukwo for mourners as Sebei leaders mooted an idea of airlifting the body owing to a poor road network to the eastern district.
By press time, discussions were ongoing on when the body would lie in State at Parliament and later a requiem mass expected to take place at Kireka Miracle Centre Church.
A vigil will take place at his residence in Kirinya, Wakiso District. Bartile will be laid to rest at his ancestral home in Amanang Sub-county, Bukwo District, this Saturday.
