Legislators have eulogized the former Member of Parliament for Toroma County as a peace-loving leader who preached and practiced hard work, community development, unity and education.
Hon. Cyrus Amodoi, the Member of Parliament for Toroma County, Katakwi district passed on Tuesday, 14 March 2017 following a road accident along Kampala-Jinja Road. He was laid to rest on Sunday, in Magoro, Kanapa village in Katakwi District.
“It’s extremely sad that death has not given him the opportunity to represent the people of Katakwi effectively. This is another blow, less than a month, after the death of Hon. Logiel Annie, the MP for Moroto,” Kadaga said in a speech read for her by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah.
In his condolence message to the family and mourners, the Deputy Speaker, who was the Chief Mourner, said unity of the people was the strongest weapon to solve all societies problems. He urged legislators and the district leadership to desist from being in election mood everyday but work together to give service to the people.
“United, we stand stronger as a country. The languages, water and distance that separates us, are not deeper than the blood in our veins that unite us,” Oulanyah said adding, “We celebrate the unique person in him because that is what he demonstrated. I pay tribute to my friend and let us preach the message he believed in.”
The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, who delivered the condolences of the President, applauded the 10th Parliament for its foresightedness in budgeting for burial expenses for legislators.
“We were rebuked for being extravagant in apportioning money for MPs funeral expenses but the cost of transporting the body and related funeral expenses surpass Shs 68 million,” she said.
Nankabirwa said in Hon. Amodoi, the country had lost a community worker. She was glad that MPs had created a Fund to cater for the children left behind when a Member passes on. She presented the President’s contribution of Shs10 million to the Fund.
The Chairperson Teso Parliamentary Group, Hon. Okabe Patrick (Serere County) described the late as a down to earth and simple person, who had a heart for his constituents. He also acknowledged the generous contributions and support from the various parliamentary groups and the Executive who contributed over Shs 50million towards burial expenses.
Honourable Akurut Violet Adome (Woman Rep. Katakwi) said Hon. Amodoi was at the forefront in addressing issues of land, security and cattle rustling in the community. She said the late valued education and maternal health and that is why he bought an ambulance for the community.
The issue of land in Katakwi is a thorny one and there were incidents where Uganda Wildlife Authority is reported to have displaced several communities and demolished schools in Angisa village in Magoro sub-county, Katakwi district. The land in question stretches about 300sq km and borders Karamoja and Teso sub-regions. UWA officials say the land is a gazetted game reserve but the community say it is the land they have lived in for hundreds of years and inherited from their forefathers.
Hon. Cyrus Amodoi is survived by a wife and two children.
