UGANDA: FINISHED WELL, PROF. DR. ALPHONSE OKWERA ACHOLI SPIRITUAL LEADER FARE THEE WELL

OMORO-UGANDA: The curtain has fallen on Thursday April 15, at Kal Lamirwot village, Lamala Parish, Odek Sub County Omoro District at exactly 1.00PM local time his casket of the late Prof. Dr. Okwera was lower to the grave amidst COOVID-19.

Dr. Paul Onek his class mate of Makerere University Medicinal Surgery School says they formed an association for the old students cord name “COHORD” in 1975.

While addressing mourners says that they joined Makerere University and slept in Lumumba Hall, described the late Prof. Dr. Okwera as a person hard working person and clear man right from his college day.

“I came to know him as humble person, hard working, very simple; he was very dedicated in his services, very hard working.” Dr. Onek argued.

Dr. Onek says he was not surprised that the late Prof. Okwera has to attain what he has attained, what he got. Our relationship with him he used to refer patients to him from Gulu as the Director of Gulu Medical Health Services. Dr. Onek observed.

Dr. Okwera if he had ego for leadership, he could have been Rwot of Puranga Chiefdom, because his late father Owor Macimiro was regarded as one of the Olal Teng Puranga divine deity.

Ms. Lakot Hellen says Prof. Dr. Okwera was the seen and face of medical doctors Acholi from Mulago Hospital during the insurgency, who could help us, Lakot decries when she learned.

In 1980s Prof. Dr. Okwer as he was known, whoever got STV in Kampala would rust to him, we missed him

Published by roza 2020

On Saturday April 4, 2020, a golden heart breathed its last; God took His best, the Late Dr. & Prof. Alphonse Okwera. The late fought a good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. He is now basking in glory land, Abraham’s bosom with God’s faithful who accomplished their tasks well, ranging from Moses (Deuteronomy 34:4), Joshua (Joshua 24:29-31), Paul (2 Timothy 4:7-8) and Abraham (Genesis 25:7) among others.

The Late Dr. & Prof. Alphonse Okwera was one of the most accomplished and learned in the medical field. He held a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of General Surgery degree of Makerere University, MSc degree in International Health, School of Tropical Medicine, The University of Liverpool, UK and Infectious diseases at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA and attained the rank of Associate Professor of Makerere University.

The late Prof. Okwera was a Chest Physician, Public Health Specialist, Honorary Lecturer, Researcher and Global Medical Expert. He headed the Tuberculosis (TB) Unit in Mulago Hospital, the largest University teaching and national referral hospital in Uganda, lectured at Makerere University’s college of Health sciences in the department of internal medicine; he was also involved in private practice. At the time of his death, he was working as a Professor in Makerere University’s Department of medical microbiology where he participated in research and editing & reviewing international reputable journals.

Visiting Mulago Hospital is always a draining experience, often time sends chills down one’s spine; partly because accessing medical assistance there is about as gut wrenching as nailing jelly to a tree. One can agonizingly wait for hours or weeks before getting an appointment from a doctor. This was never the case for us because the late Professor made accessing services from Mulago hospital pleasant for all relatives and friends. This is evident from the number of different relatives and friends that sat in the TB Clinic shade on a daily basis waiting for him to advise and connect them to the appropriate doctor and clinic. He was so modest and always took off time to walk us to the appropriate doctor even as far as New Mulago, his office was in Old Mulago about 15minutes walk to New Mulago. He always left us in the hands of the lead doctor in that section.

At first I thought he walked with us out of respect for my late mother until I experienced it on my own when he walked me to see a particular doctor. I once felt I was being bothersome having him walk me there and said, “Uncle, let me not interrupt your work, direct me and I will go.”

His response was, “Lakeya! (niece in luo), don’t mind, I will walk you, I love walking, and walking is good for our health. Doctors work 90% of the time standing and walking. Have you ever imagined how many hours we spend standing and walking during ward rounds?”

“When do you do your work?” I probed.

He explained that most of his time was spent checking on how patients were fairing, doing ward rounds with other doctors and medical students. Other than that, he attended meetings and helped friends and relatives access services. He would then handle his desk work, reading and research when the clinics closed and people stopped coming in.

Professor Okwera was generous, loved people and worked towards strengthening relationships with friends and family. I fondly remember his visits to my parent’s home in Nakasero and during each visit he never came empty handed; always carrying at least fruits, drinks, snacks and peanut butter (odii); this made me look forward to his visits.

He regularly took time off his incredibly busy schedules to organize celebratory and thanksgiving events where he invited relatives and friends, including my late Parents. He was so generous that he had a driver pick and drop them back. These celebrations were so joyful & jubilant that my mother relived every moment of them the following days, narrating, radiantly, in detail whatever had transpired at these buoyant get-togethers.

He had respect and honor for the young and engaged them in conversation by sharing with them knowledge. He was interested and knowledgeable in current affairs that he shared it widely with his family. He never held back on teaching and adding value to the vast number of people he met and interacted with.

It is not surprising that sharing his vast knowledge and wisdom is the last activity I had with him seated in his living room enjoying the cool breeze with an attractive view of green leafy Kololo hill over a nutritious meal served by his lovely wife, Aunt Catherine. We are indebted to Mrs. Catherine Okwera for joyfully, patiently steering and staying the course with him till the end of his journey.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 says I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me. I, as a witness and those whose lives he touched are certain that my late uncle is singing and proclaiming this verse with confidence. When you go, can we be confident that you are proclaiming the same verse?

The late professor touched many lives, left an unmatched legacy for his children, built lasting relationships, was generous and had a great sense of humor. He lived a bountiful, content, full life that fulfilled God’s purpose. Like Jesus’ last words, “it is finished.” The late Professor finished the life race well. Rest in Peace Uncle, Professor Alphonse Okwera

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