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Couple reveals secret to their conjunctural life

Mr Yafesi Onyang and Ms Christine Onyang during 100 years birthday celebration at Angwenya, Kangai Dokolo on January 10, 2025. Photo | Julius Ocen

What you need to know:

  • Mr Onyang, who has lost his eyesight but still speaks eloquently, attributed his long life to good eating habits, a balanced diet, and hard work.

A couple in Angwenya village, Dokolo district, has revealed the secret to their long life, with the husband, Mr Yafesi Onyang, celebrating his 100th birthday on Friday, January 10, 2025. His wife, Ms Christine Onyang, is 97 years old.

Mr Onyang, who has lost his eyesight but still speaks eloquently, attributed his long life to good eating habits, a balanced diet, and hard work.

"I have lived my life longer on earth basing on good eating habits, balanced diet mainly traditional foods including greens, millet, beans, and pumpkin," he said.

The centenarian, who is a Christian, educationist, disciplinarian, mobilizer, advisor, farmer, and clan leader, said he has contributed significantly to the development of his community.

"I mobilized the community to build schools, including Kangai Primary School, Kangai Secondary School, and Angwenya Primary School," he said.

Mr Onyang also revealed that he played a key role in the construction of the Church of Uganda in Kangai. "I built the church house, and since it was grass-thatched, wind would blow off the roof, which prompted me to begin molding bricks," he said. "The community members and I eventually constructed a corrugated church building."

He added that he requested his elder son, Canon Richard Obura, to contribute to the construction of the church, especially by buying iron sheets. "God helped us, and we later built an iron sheet worship center, Church of Uganda," he said.

Canon Obura, who is the Provincial Treasurer of the Church of Uganda, described his father as a caring and disciplined parent who valued education. "My father is a very caring parent, and he has a vision for his children," he said. "He himself did not go to formal school beyond class four, but he ensured that we got the best education possible."

Canon Obura added that his father's parenting style was effective, and it has produced positive results. "We have two PhDs, five master's degrees, five engineers, and many bachelor's degrees in our family," he said. "This is a testament to my father's effective parenting and emphasis on education."

He also revealed that his father was a progressive farmer who recognized the importance of education. "He was a very prominent farmer in his days of energy, and in the 1970s, he was recognized as one of the progressive farmers at that time," he said.

Canon Obura added that his father's commitment to education has had a significant impact on the community. "He ensured that we attended school, and he would attend school meetings and talk to the headteacher," he said. "He would ask us to produce our school reports, and he would go through them subject by subject."

A resident of Dokolo, Mr. Conorous Amai, 79, testified that Mr Onyang is a believer in God and a strong advocate for education. "Mzee Onyang likes education so much, and he has had a significant impact on the education of many people in this area," he said.

Mr Amai added that Mr Onyang's contribution to the development of the community is immeasurable. "He has built schools, churches, and has mobilized the community to develop," he said. "He is a true leader and a role model."

As Mr. Onyang celebrated his 100th birthday, he challenged parents to prioritize their children's education. "I want to tell parents to put more effort into the education of their children," he said. "Education is the key to success, and it is the best legacy we can leave for our children."