A disagreement has emerged within the family of the late Supreme Court Justice Stella Arach-Amako over the burial arrangements for the departed legal luminary. The deceased’s husband, Idule Amako, and her siblings are at odds regarding her final resting place, with each party advocating for a different location.
Idule Amako, a former deputy head of mission at the Uganda embassy in Ethiopia, notified the Judiciary earlier this week that his wife would be laid to rest at their marital home in Adjumani. However, Arach-Amako’s siblings have protested this decision, claiming that their sister made a dying declaration expressing her desire to be buried at her ancestral home in Nebbi, alongside their father.
In a petition addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Judiciary, Dr. Pius Bigirimana, the family implored him to overturn the alleged decision to bury Justice Arach-Amako in Adjumani. The letter, dated June 20, 2023, was signed by Christine Onyok (biological sister), Picho Godfrey (brother), Annette Yossa (biological daughter), Amon Jackie (biological daughter), Emmanuel Komakech (biological son), and the Ragem elders.
The family claims that the late Justice Arach-Amako expressed her wish verbally prior to her demise while she was receiving treatment at Nakasero Hospital. They state that on June 12, she summoned her biological brother, Picho Godfrey, to the hospital and reiterated her desire to be laid to rest in Nebbi. Additionally, she reportedly instructed her sister, Christine Onyok, who was attending to her in the hospital, to honor her wish of being buried next to their father.
Moreover, the family asserts that the deceased’s mother is still alive and eagerly awaiting the arrival of her daughter’s remains to carry out the burial rites in Nebbi. Arach-Amako’s children also maintain that they have no connection to Adjumani and lack any property or attachment to the area, making it challenging for them to pay their respects to their late mother if she were to be buried there.
When approached for comment, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bigirimana, distanced himself from the decision-making process regarding the burial location, emphasizing that it is the family’s responsibility to determine the final resting place. He explained that the Judiciary merely facilitates such arrangements and that the husband’s letter notifying them of the burial in Adjumani cannot be altered without a court order. Dr. Bigirimana further stated that should the family convene and decide to bury Justice Arach-Amako in Nebbi, their decision would be respected.
The disagreement between the late Justice Arach-Amako’s husband and her siblings highlights the emotional complexity surrounding her burial arrangements. As the family awaits further developments, it remains to be seen whether a resolution can be reached through dialogue or if legal intervention will be sought to settle this contentious matter.
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