First Karimojong minister Edward Athiyo dies at 91

Karamoja. The first ever minister from Karamoja region, Edward Athiyo, has died aged 90, his family has confirmed.

The late Athiyo who was known as a custodian of knowledge about Karamoja minerals and the culture, was pronounced dead on Friday morning at Seguku Hospital after succumbing to cardiac attack.

According to the family members and friends in Nakapiripirit District, the late had been battling diabetes and chronic pneumonia for 20 years, hypertension and obesity among other illnesses. He was born on March 29, 1928, and served in various positions in and outside Uganda.

He served in many positions during Amin’s reign and also served as the Minister of Transport and Communication during the Tito Okello Lutwa’s short-lived regime.

Mr Jackson Angela, an elder and a close friend to the late, explained that Mzee Athiyo was the first Karimojong to be appointed Uganda’s ambassador to Congo between 1971 and 1973.

“He was the first Karamoja South MP and other positions he hold that I know include; chairman of Uganda Chamber of Commerce and district service commission. He also worked as district administrator in Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, West Nile, Lango and Ankole during the colonial era,” he noted.

Mr Angela remembers that while working as the administrative officer for Ankole, Mzee Athiyo ordered the beating of Ntare Primary School students, who included president Museveni, for leading the school strike.

“Am suspicious that’s why he was not given any position when the NRM captured power,” he said.

Mr John Lokol, another elder said: “Mzee Athiyo has been our custodian when it comes to issues of Karamoja and its minerals, now we don’t know who will assume his responsibilities,” he said. He has been the proprietor of Kaban Mining Company.

Mr Johnson Ngiro, the son to the late told daily monitor on telephone that the remains of his father will buried at Nakaale Village, Namalu Sub County in Nakapiripirit District on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Daily Monitor has learnt that Athiyo's body will lie in state at Parliament today (Monday) from 10.00am to 1.00pm for Members of Parliament and the public to pay their respects.