Gulu mourns oldest Asian

GULU- Gulu District and the entire Acholi sub-region are mourning the death of Abdulla Mohamed Sumar, one of the oldest Ugandan of Indian origin in the region.

Sumar, commonly known as Aboo, 90, succumbed to prostate cancer at St Mary’s Hospital Lacor in Gulu Town last Tuesday.
He has been a popular figure in the Acholi sub-region and well-grounded in matters of the region.

He was a fluent speaker of the Acholi language and was married to an Acholi woman, who he has lived with since 1972.
Hundreds of locals, friends, relatives and Gulu District leaders on Sunday thronged the deceased’s home in Layik village, Bungatira Sub-county, where he was laid to rest as he wished.

District leaders eulogised Aboo, describing him as an adventurous, committed business man, mentor and a social figure who loved Acholi.

Mr Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu District chairperson, said at the burial that Aboo was a good asset to the district and would be rightly honoured for his contribution towards development.

“He was a respectable man, easily approachable and caring. We shall sit as the district and come out with suggestion on how we can honour him,” he said.

Lost a great man
Ms Betty Aol Ocan, the Gulu District Woman MP, said: “We shall miss such a great man with big heart. We need to learn from him.”

Mr Jimmy Sumar, 56, one of the deceased sons, said his father loved Acholi, where he established a home and lived, supporting a number of children for more than 40 years.
In 1972, Aboo fled Uganda to the UK after former president Idi Amin expelled Asians but returned in 1980, settling in Gulu District.

He is survived by two widows, six children, 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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