The newly appointed Deputy Head of Public Service, Mr Vincent Opio-Lukone, has been hospitalized and is reportedly in a critical condition at Nakasero hospital in Kampala.
Reports of Mr Lukone‘s hospitalization emerged Tuesday morning a day after being hospitalised. Yesterday, in Gulu where Lukone comes from, rumour swirled that he had passed on. These rumours played out on social media– WhatsApp and Facebook
However, several sources including Acholi political leaders and family members have been quoted by local radios in Gulu that Lukone is alive at Nakasero hospital. He is, however, said to be on life support and in critical condition.
The exact nature of the illness is unclear but a source told Acholi Times that it is suspected to be a brain tumor. The source said Mr Lukone had recently flown abroad for treatment.
Mr Lukone is a senior civil servant. He joined the public service in 1980 and has served various government ministries since 1991.
He became a Permanent Secretary in 1998 and was posted to the Cabinet secretariat.
He holds a BA in political science and public administration from Makerere University. He also holds an MA in social science in development from the University of Birmingham.
Mr Lukone hails from Palenga Oduku about 16 kms long the Gulu- Kampala highway.
Mr Lukone owns Churchill Courts Hotel, one of the most prominent hotels in Gulu.
Although a senior and prominent citizen Mr Lukone , despite his long life in public service, lives a relatively quite life. Many who know him describe him as a professional man.