By Maria Namulindwa
The body of the former Supreme Court judge, Lady Justice Stella Arach-Amoko, will be laid to rest at Jukiya Hill, Juba Village, in Nebbi District, the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala has ruled.
The court sitting on Tuesday, June 27, ended a legal dispute between the deceased’s husband and children over her final resting place by ruling in favor of the deceased’s desire to be buried near her late father in Nebbi.
Justice Amoko, who died on June 17 at Nakasero Hospital, was expected to be buried last Friday, June 23, before her children and siblings petitioned the court seeking to halt the burial arrangements, challenging her husband’s decision to bury her in Adjumani, his home district.
The applicants, including Ms. Annet Yossa, Mr. Emmanuel Komakech, and Ms. Jackie Amoni, children of the deceased, and her brother Godfrey Richo and sister Christine Onyok, contended that before her death, Arach-Amoko publicly expressed her wish to be buried in Nebbi, not Adjumani.
Justice Ketrah Kitariisibwa Katunguka, in her ruling delivered via email on Tuesday afternoon, directed that the remains of Justice Amoko be laid to rest at Jukiya Hill Ward, Juba Village Nebbi District, and the persons responsible for the Arach-Amoko burial program proceed without further delays.
“The second respondent (Attorney General), in consultation with the applicants and the first respondent (Ambassador James Idule Amoko), is directed to immediately commence the burial arrangements of the late Hon. Justice Mary Stella Arach-Amoko, who shall be buried at Jukiya Hill Ward, Juba Village Nebbi District,” Justice Kitarisiibwa ruled.
The judge also directed that Ambassador Amoko and his family members freely attend the funeral of the late justice of the High Court but also directed that the burial should not be delayed any further.
“The first respondent and his family members shall freely attend the funeral without any disturbances. Each party shall bear their own costs,” Justice Kitariisibwa said.