By Bernard Ngabirano,
KAMPALA
Court in Kampala has on Tuesday (June 27) dismissed with no costs a proposal by Ambassador James Amoko, husband to slain Supreme Court Justice, Stella Arach Amoko to be buried at a neutral place – Arua catholic cathedral cemetery.
Court presided over by the High Court Judge, Justice Ketrah Katariisibwa Katunguka ruled in favour of the first respondent (the deceased children and relatives) that Justice Amoko be buried at Jukiya hills, Juba village in Nebbi district as she had wished.
In her ruling, the judge stated that Arach’s wish to be buried at her ancestral home should be respected.
The deceased children led by Annette Yossa dragged their stepfather, Ambassador Idule Amoko to court after he contested her burial place and wished her remains to be buried in Adjumani district or in a neutral place.
However, Justice Ketrah ruled that it was Justice Arach’s wish to be buried at Jukiya and that it was made known to her husband and children in a meeting held on June 18, 2023,
“The said wishes are encapsulated in her position as a princess in her tribe, no justification has been made for not honouring the deceased’s wishes,” Justice Ketrah said.
In a document seen by Parrots Media, the judge said the late Justice Stella Arach Amoko is attached to her culture even in death and that she is entitled to be buried according to the culture and customs of the Jonam people in the Ragem chiefdom in Nebbi district.
The judge further directed the second respondent (Ambassador James Idule Amoko) in consultation with the children and the Attorney General to freely and immediately commence burial arrangements for lady justice, Stella Arach Amoko.
“The burial of late Hon. justice Mary Stella Arach Amoko shall not be further delayed by any party’s intended responses or reactions to this judgement,” she ordered “Each party shall bear their costs.”
