UGANDA: FARE THEE-WELL MAMA EMILY ATTO OGWAL

She worked hard for over 40 years in the USA, but when she came back home, succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, she was 71 years old.

She worked hard for over 40 years in the USA, but when she came back home, succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, she was 71 years old.

PADER DISTRICT-FRIDAY JULY 4, 2025

By Okumu Livingstone Langol

On Friday July 4, 2025. The family of Dr.  Odok Walter Ogwal held a memorial prayer to honor their beloved mother at Got-Olal village 80 kilometer east of Gulu City with a pump and hug party sent off to the Bolo clan and well-wishers.

Emily Atto Ogwal 71 years old, the beloved wife of the late Odok Walter Ogwal, mother to Grace, Susan and Ricky Ogwal aunt to Tito, and dear friend to so many. Died on March 9, 2022 at St. Mary Hospital Lacor, Gulu City from complications of Alzheimer’s disease after a long illness when she came back home after the demise of her late husband Odok Walter Ogwal who passed on from Hutchinson, Kansas in 2008.

She was 71 years old, burial took place on Saturday the 25^th March 2022 at her ancestral village in Got-olal, Awere Sub County, Pader district, Uganda.

Emily affectionately called Hutchinson, Kansa, for 27 years before she retired and moved back to Kansas, she attended Mary Immaculate Primary School in Uganda where she made many lifelong friends. After her studies, she dedicated her life to her work as a laboratory assistant at Serere Agricultural Research Station from 1968-1987.

When she moved to Hutchinson from Uganda, she took along her work ethic, dedication and love of helping others. She was on the task of holding two jobs, while caring for her family. She was a well-respected and beloved employee by both residences and staff at both Good Samaritan and Mennonite Nursing Home.

She was employee of the Month and employee of the year so many times that sometimes, she felt unfair! She accumulated so many vacation hours that sometimes, she was forced to not go to work, but she still would because she felt her residents needed her. She was a parishioner of her beloved St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and Lent was her favorite season.

During the decades they lived in Kansa, Emily and Walter hosted guests and events nearly every weekend at their home-even winter snow was no excuse to not light up the grill. Both were very involved in the Catholic Church in both Gulu, Uganda and Hutchinson, other hosting visiting priests, Nuns and helping international students from any African Country to have an easier transition into American Society.

They both thought education was key to any child’s life and dedicated their own resources to educating numerous children from their home country Uganda, they were so dedicated to educate and to them a University degree meant their task was complete.

“We now can find solace knowing that Emily joined her childhood sweetheart, soulmate and partner Walter.”

Someone once said; “There are great people, and there are the Ogwals” that’s a testament to how they were viewed by many people and the lives they touched.”

Emily is survived by her children Grace of Boston MA, Susan of Babcock Ranch, FI. Ricky of Lagile, Pader, Uganda, Tito (Nephew) of Overland Park, KS. Grandchildren, Yene, Amara Saleem Demarcus, Sibling: Rose, Amela Okullo, Laboke, Ankoda, Santina, Mateo (Teyu), of Pader, Uganda and all of Awor and Lutweny household, she will be greatly missed

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider making a contribution to the Nile Heritage Foundation, an organization started by Emily’s late husband Walter Ogwal to help fund a school for underprivileged children at Gotolal Academy in Pader District.

You can also contribute to the Foundation by calling or going into your nearest Wells Fargo Bank, or with your Quick Books account. You can also contact daughters Susan at saogwal@gmail.com or Grace at achirogmail.com for more detail.

Thank you in advance.

Rev. Father Kizito from Puranga Mission in his sermon to the congregation appealing mainly to women who warn them against fake friendship which they term (Deyera) a loose cohabiting which is a common thing today.

Citing an example, one time when Deyera of a woman paid a visit to a certain lady in Puranga Centre, whereby she offered a bull and some good money to her friend. However, when she returned visiting her Deyera in quotes. “Fancy” in return he gave her only a goat, the woman fainted upon realizing the danger she was in.

“Don’t fall for the plot of making friendship with someone’s wife or husband, such an incident is happening to many of Christina’s followers through ordinary friendship of Deyera, while they are in real love.” Rev Father Kizito warns.

Turning to youths, Rev. Father Kizito advises younger generations to be good Christians. Now we have begun the prayers at 1:00PM, and yet our time table to start memorial services was at 10:00AM, if we had started the services early, many of you would have missed. Because I understand people come late to catch up with the programs of servicing food. Don’t be used to such anti Christianity.

The Adyeri phenomena between Church gores has gone Naïve, the password this day, Min Bangi, Won Ocii. Between the pairs, which means business as usual. Rev Father warns the adyeri and Adyera to stop fornication in the church. And Lululu playing must stop, you cannot serve to master, God and Evil

Father Advice’s parents and children of Gotolal to take advantage of Nile Heritage Foundation Kindergarten and Primary School send their children to school. And children also should take the opportunity to learn.

“I want the parents who are here to send their children to school, because this story building cannot change itself into pupils in order for learning to take place.” Rev. Father Kizito warns.

Banya Ogwal, head of the Ogwal family thanks Grace and Susan Ogwal for honoring their late parents. He advises them to fulfil the dream of their parents.

He introduces Jago Kaka Bolo Okot Akori who in turn called for Chairman of Bolo Pakena Ocelo Kut. However, Ocelo Kut only introduced executive members of Bolo Pakena.