Acholi Leaders Mourn Prof Ocitti

Leaders from the Acholi sub region have mourned the death of Prof Jakayo Peter Ocitti, a re-known professor of education.

Prof Ocitti passed on Tuesday morning at Nakasero hospital in Kampala.

Prof Ocitti comes less than a week after the demise of Prof Alexander Mwa Odonga, another famous Acholi educationist who was the first neurosurgeon in East and Central Africa.

The Gulu district Woman Member of Parliament (MP) for Gulu, Betty Aol Ocan described the late Prof Ocitti as a hardworking and humble man who lived a dignified life.

Mrs. Ocan says Prof Ocitti will be remembered as a man of integrity who valued work other than getting rich.

The legislator added that Ocitti was a trustworthy person who will never be forgotten.

Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South County MP, said Prof Ocitti is a hero who has left a big hole that will be difficult to fill.

Olanya described Prof Ocitti as a talented educationist with a kind heart.

Emmanuel Mwaka Lutukomoi, the Lira Resident District Commissioner (RDC), described Ocitti as a mentor and said he (Ocitti) inspired him (Lutukumoi) to write (the Lira RDC has a book to his name).

The LC III Chairman for Pajule Sub County, Brilliant Tito Okello, who is also one of the kinsmen of the late Prof Ocitti described him as a father figure.

Okello says the whole Pajule is mourning Ocitti’s death.

Prof Ocitti hails from Pajule- Lacani village in Palwo parish, Pajule Sub County in the current Pader district.

Born to Palwo clan (one of the major clans in Acholi) in 1936, Prof Ocitti, started his primary education from Pajule Lacani Primary School and later joined Sir Samuel Baker School, one of the leading secondary schools during the late 1950s before joining Kyambogo teachers college.

Prof Ocitti taught at Makerere and rose to the level of  the dean of the  Faculty of Educaton.

He was among the first few pioneer professors at Gulu University.

According to Prof Jack Nyeko Pen-Mogi, the Gulu University Vice Chancellor, Ocitti was the first dean of faculty of education and humanities which was by then a faculty of science education.

Professor Ocitti was a re-known Luo novelist with book titles novels to his name.

Dr James Lam- Lagoro, who worked with Prof Ocitti at Gulu University during the institution inception in 2002 descried his death as abrupt and unfortunate.