The Bata sub county and the entire community of Dokolo District are mourning the passing of a great leader, Quirino Awany.
At the age of 89 years, he leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to his community.
Awany was the first LC3 chairperson for Bata sub county after the government changed from Resistance Council (RC) to Local Council (LC).
He was a pioneer in the transition and played a crucial role in shaping the local government system in the area.
Before 1993, local council chairpersons were known as Chairperson Resistance Council (RC).
However, Awany stepped up to serve as the very first LC3 chairperson after the country made the switch to the local council system.
His leadership set a precedent for the years to come and established the foundation for effective governance in Bata sub county.
Awany’s contributions to the community extended beyond his role as a local council chairperson.
According to a family member, he was a proud member of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party, alongside the late Cecilia Ogwal.
However, his unwavering support for his beloved candidate and former Dokolo North MP, Paul Amoru, led him to switch his affiliation to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
He remained a stalwart supporter of Amoru, who is currently serving as Uganda’s high commissioner in Pretoria.
Charles Ogen, a family member, shared that Awany was deeply disappointed when Amoru lost the 2021 election.
According to Ogen, Awany had even declared that he would not vote for anyone else and continued to ask if Amoru would run again.
As the family and community prepare to lay Awany to rest, his body will leave the Dokolo mortuary on Thursday for a special council sitting at Bata town council headquarters.
This will be followed by a funeral service at his ancestral home in Onekocani cell and his final resting place on Friday.
His passing is a great loss to the community, but his memory will live on through his contributions and the impact he made on the lives of those around him.
During his regime as LC3 chairperson for Bata sub county from 1993 to 2006, Awany proposed the creation of Okwalongwen sub county from Bata sub county.
Before becoming a leader in local government, Awany served as a chief warder in the prison services from 1960 to 1968.
However, his service was cut short when he was arrested by the forces of President Idi Amin in 1974.
After regaining his freedom, he joined the leadership role in 1982 and continued to serve his community in various capacities.
He was the chairperson of Bata trading center until 1988 and later became the chairperson of Resistance Council (RC) II of Abyenek parish, which is currently Central Ward of Bata town council.
The passing of Quirino Awany is a great loss to the Bata sub county and the entire Dokolo District.
His impact will never be forgotten, and his memory will be cherished by all those who had the privilege to know him. May his soul rest in peace.
