Karamoja’s ‘encyclopedia’ of culture, minerals passes on

Karamoja Sub-region is mourning the death of Edward Athiyo, whom they remember as a custodian of knowledge on minerals and culture.
The deceased served as a minister in Idi Amin and Tito Okello’s regimes.
Athiyo succumbed to cardiac arrest on Friday at Seguku Hospital in Kampala where he had been admitted. He was 90 years.
Family and friends said he had been battling diabetes, chronic pneumonia and hypertension, among other illnesses, for the last 10 years.
Mr Peter Lokeris Aimat, the State Minister for Minerals, described the deceased as an intelligent person.
“He died when he was still a resourceful person to this country and Karamoja because he had broader knowledge on mineral explorations,” Mr Lokeris said.
Fr Simon Lokodo, the State minister for Ethics and Integrity, said Athiyo was a father to all.

Social
“He did not have any grudge with anybody. He was social and knew many languages,” he said.
Mr Samson Lokeris, the MP for Dodoth East in Kaabong District, said Athiyo died at a time when the region still needed him to resolve border conflicts with its neighbouring Teso districts.
“He had knowledge about the internal and international boundaries. We had hoped to bring him on board to help us give evidence about the boundaries,” he said.
Mr Colonious Kodet, a businessman, said his brother’s death was a blow.
“His death has robbed us of a great hard worker,” he said.
Mr Johnson Ngiro, the deceased’s son, said his father will be buried in Nakaale Village, Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District tomorrow.

Who was Athiyo?

Born on March 29, 1928 in Nakapiripirit District, Edward Athiyo had served in various capacities as a public servant. Mr Jackson Angela, an elder, said the deceased worked in Public Service after completing his studies. He started off as a store clerk before his appointment as the district administrator in charge of Karamoja, a position he held for two years. Athiyo was a district commissioner during the British government.
After the Idi Amin coup in 1971, Athiyo was appointed as Uganda’s ambassador to DR Congo. In 1972, he was appointed acting permanent secretary in the ministry of commerce, and later its minister. In 1980, he was elected as the Karamoja South MP until 1985.
When Tito Okello Lutwa, captured power, Athiyo was appointed minister of transport and communication. The deceased was also a businessman, farmer and proprietor of Kaban Mining Company.