Ouni Editor
BY STEPHINE OPIO ONGORA
SOROTI DISTRICT: The Uganda Prison Service and Won-Ateker Papa Kumam have condoled with the family of Assistant Superintendent of Prisons (ASP) Apwoyo Leah who was laid to rest on Monday in Soroti District.
Late ASP Apwoyo was born on 18th August 1988 to Fr. Awenu John Peter and Victoria Awenu of Merok-Agule Village in Soroti District.
She served as a prison officer until her death at Mulago National Referral Hospital on 22nd October 2026 due to cancer-related illness, according to her husband Stephen Agama.
In a condolence message signed by John Bosco Tumwebaze on behalf of the Commissioner General of Prisons, the Service described ASP Apwoyo as a staff of the Prisons Academy and Training School, Luzira.
The message, quoting Psalms 127:3, said God heals the broken-hearted, and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the family and the Uganda Prison Service at large.
Tumwebaze explained that the late joined the Uganda Prison Service as a Cadet Principal Officer and later attained a certificate in Humanitarian Law.
He noted that her death has left the Service and Uganda at large in deep sorrow.
To support the funeral, Uganda Prison Service contributed Shs 13.2 million, a casket, construction of the grave, food and other logistical support.
The burial service was led by the Open Bible Churches Uganda who emphasized Godly living, quoting Romans Chapter 3:33, noting that the greatest gift is not cars, beautiful wives or wealth but eternal life.
The Paramount Chief of Kumam, His Royal Highness Won-Ateker Papa Kumam Rafael Otaya, in his address, comforted the family and requested the Uganda Prison Service and Government of Uganda to promote the late Apwoyo posthumously.
”I do admire the action by Uganda Prison Service especially in several functions that I have attended. I have read the history, Late Apwoyo Leah was always doing better in parade,” Otaya said.
Otaya urged Ugandans to embrace unity regardless of tribe or language, stating, “Language should not divide us because we are one people and we should focus on developing one another.”
Commenting on social behavior, Otaya advised his subjects to respect the laws of Uganda especially on land matters.
”Let’s resolve our issue of land at clan levels before going to court, don’t go to court, you will waste your money and time for nothing,” he warned.
He noted that government is compensating Kumam for lost cattle and disbursing Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, urging proper management of resources.
”Avoid overstaying in trading centres in a lousily manner but copy what our brothers from Buganda who stay in trading centres do, they stay while selling something to generate money,” he said.
He observed that Kumam are getting poorer because they produce farm products and sell them off for drinking, while buyers use the products properly and prosper.
He thanked Government for giving Kumam over 20 scholarships in different fields like piloting and medicine, calling upon parents to educate their children.
Opio Martin, the clan leader of Ikariwok-Amen where the late Apwoyo hailed from, said her death is a great loss to the clan, prison service and Uganda at large.
Among Kumam ministers who attended the burial were Simon Ocen, Minister of Information, Alfred Ewecu, Adviser on Culture, Faustina Orot, Charles Erecu and Justin Edweu.
Opio Robert, a councillor representing Katine Town Council to Soroti District Council, thanked the family of Leah for educating her which enabled her to excel.
He advised residents of Katine to send children to school to serve the country and asked Uganda Prison Service to help the family access all benefits due to the deceased.
LC3 Chairperson of Katine Town Council, Emugu Moses, advised young people to leave a good legacy wherever they work.
He said the area has lost two prison officers within a short period and requested Uganda Prison Service to support the area by legally recruiting qualified people to replace the deceased to comfort the community.
