By Richard Onapatum

NAPAK DISTRICT: It was a somber mood at Kangole village, Napak district in Karamoja Sub Region as hundreds of mourners turned up for the burial of the former MP for Moroto Municipality Simon Peter Aleper.

Aleper,49, was the NRM Vice Chairperson for the Karamoja region and died in a road crash at the beginning of last week along the Tirinyi-Pallissa road when was on his way to attend a Central Executive Committee meeting in Kampala.

In his tribute, President Yoweri Museveni saluted Aleper’s contribution to the socio-economic transformation of the Karamoja region.  It was delivered by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo who doubles Woman MP for Katakwi district.

The president said Aleper served his Country and the NRM Party, with distinction and commitment adding; “Our party has lost a loyal cadre and great mobilizer,” Mr. Museveni said.

He said the death of Hon. Aleper Simon Peter has robbed the Country of a resourceful leader, who contributed to fostering unity and development in the Karamoja region.

The president further noted that Karamoja was a neglected place before the NRM came to power and that this was a big mistake and evidence of the short-sightedness of the previous regimes.

“Every part of Uganda is capable of producing wealth and jobs for our people, provided it is supplied with modern infrastructure including good roads, electricity, schools, and hospitals,” he said.

He noted that today, Karamoja is quickly transforming into a model hub for mining and manufacturing and Hon. Aleper was at the forefront of sensitizing our people to welcome investors.

Mr. Museveni explained that Aleper remained true to the principles of the NRM, which emphasize prioritizing the interests of the people of Uganda adding that the party has been privileged to associate and work with a cadre of his caliber and vision. He told mourners that as they mourn the death of Hon. Aleper Simon Peter, we also celebrate his wonderful legacy and exemplary leadership.

“He has departed from us after offering distinguished service to Uganda and to the NRM Party. All those who associated with him must be proud of his legacy and emulate his good works,” he said.

Finally, Museveni prayed to the Almighty God to grant the family the fortitude and courage to go through this trying moment.

“As I said last week, the NRM will support the widow and children of the late Hon. Aleper, since they have been deprived of a breadwinner. The NRM is a big clan and therefore, the children of Hon. Aleper will not be orphaned,” he said. 

The president promised to get a better job for the widow Nadiye Scola and also provide the children with a family small house in Kampala.

The chief celebrant Rt. Rev. Simon Akol Aisu, the Bishop of North Karamoja sent his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and asked the government to improve the conditions of the road network in the country, especially in the capital Kampala and Highways.  

He described Aleper as an extremely God-fearing person and a focused politician for serving the country beyond himself.

The NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong told hundreds of mourners who turned up at Kangole Primary School grounds that Aleper’s legacy and service will forever be remembered.

His send-off was attended by CEC members, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Secretariat leaders, cultural leaders, family, and friends from all walks of life.

The widow, Schola Nadiye thanked the NRM government especially President Museveni for according to her husband a decent send-off. She however asked for assistance to support the six children her husband has left. Nadiye is a community development officer in Napak district earning a small salary that cannot support the family.

Captain Mike Mukula commended the late for living a short life but making an impact in his region and the nation at large.  He noted that the late’s life was a lesson to study given that he was an orphan but managed to rise and succeed in life.

The children described their late father as very loving and a man of rare qualities, kind and unassuming.
Trevor Lokawa Aleper, the only son among five girls said his father instilled in him an unwavering curiosity and an appreciation for fine things in life.  Lokawa said his father’s legacy will live on.

According to Dr. Paul Alan, a pathologist from Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Aleper died from multiple injuries, internal bleeding that included fractures on his skull and ribs, and a broken liver following a car crash.