It was with shock and sadness that the news surrounding the death of George Okurapa was received by Ugandans on Sunday morning.
The 1985-1986 former Guild President of Makerere University under the UPC government of Milton Obote passed on in Canada where he has been living for many years.
He is believed to have developed breathing complications during a meeting leading to cardiac arrest that caused his death.
This explanation however, is still is subject to confirmation by the medical reports.
The National Vice Chairperson for the ruling National Resistance Movement for Eastern Uganda Captain Mike Mukula has described the deceased as a person who loved Uganda terming him a fine gentleman with an epitome of humility as well as a patriot, Nationalist and a great pan-Africanist who believed so much in the Teso traditional base and culture.
“And the news is deep and very difficult to take. Eleven days after the New Year, George Okurapa is no more. I want to say that he had had many engagements with His Excellency the President and these arrangements were all made to meet the President by the Deputy Speaker, Right Honourable Tayebwa, and my brother Kwame Ejalu, who have been at the centre stage of getting him to come back to Uganda”, Says Mike Mukula.
George Okurapa in the 1980s, then as UPC Administrator
Okurapa had fled the Country in early 1987 following what he told the media upon return to Uganda as Political Persecution by the then Director National Intelligence Services Major General [Retired] Mugisha Muntu.
He said prior to his escape, he had been detained for six months without trial prompting some collaboration from sympathizing Officers to aid his escape through Nairobi Kenya and Later to Canada from where he was persuaded to return to Uganda.
Mukula says he is believed to have been one of the most excellent brains Uganda had having served as a Guild President.
“But I want to say that they reconciled their positions with Major General retired Mugisha Muntu when they met in Canada and as gentlemen, they were able to put this behind”, Notes Mukula.
Mukula goes on to recount: “I also want to add that he had wanted to come back home having lived in exile for a long time and his children who were all born were Canadians. He worked with the Canadian government”.
Captain Mike Mukula speaking to Factual News following Okurapa’s Death
His return was fully facilitated by the Government of Uganda and he returned to the Country in December 2021.
He was able to pay respect to his Late Father Justice Ephraim Okalebo whose burial he had missed.
Okalebo who hailed from Kachumbala in the present day Bukedea District had had served in the Judiciary as a Judge.
Okurapa has since been freely commuting between Uganda and Toronto Canada where he has been living and operating.
His death has been received with shock to which Captain Mike Mukula has a word for the deceased’s family.
“I know what the relatives are going through. The pain is something that we must now learn to embrace. The Lord Almighty has spoken and, in this case, in God’s case, there is no appeal”, Says Captain Mukula.
Mukula describes his death as a dark moment for not just Teso Sub Region but the entire Country.
”It’s a dark day for the family and really from the bottom of my heart . I extend my deepest condolences once again and to say, may the Lord Almighty, the powerful arm of the Lord, hold them in comfort and give them solace at this very difficult and trying time of the loss of the breadwinner and the head of the family”, Concludes Mukula.
