Thousands of mourners over the weekend thronged Lukome village in Aswa County, Gulu District to pay last respect and sendoff one of the greatest Acholi industrial icon and entrepreneur, Mzee Justine Bitek Okeny.
Mzee Okeny 82 was one of the co-founders of the Vitafoam Industry Ltd, the famous manufactures of vitafoam mattresses he founded with Jack Dwonga in 1974.
He succumbed to Prostate Cancer at Kampala International Hospital on April 30 where he had been admitted in critical condition.
Family members, relatives, friends, business community from across the country, Gulu District leaders, cultural leaders and government officials paid an emotional tribute to the gallant Acholi icon at his ancestral home where he was buried.
Present at the burial included the Speaker of the East African Legislative assembly Mr Dan Kidega, members of the Judiciary notably Justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo and Minister for relief, Disaster preparedness and refugees Eng Hillary Onek. Eng Onek represented President Museveni as the chief mourner.
In a condolence message written by President Museveni and read by Eng Onek, the president praised Mzee Okeny for being an industrialist who contributed greatly to the country’s economic growth.
“The nation has lost an entrepreneur who has served the country and improved on the country’s economic growth. He was a hardworking man who contributed to the economic wellbeing of this nation,” Mr Museveni said.
‘‘I have had the privilege to work with the man of many characters, he was a friend of the National Resistance Movement party (NRM) whose legacy will always linger and encourage Ugandans towards development,’’ Mr Museveni added.
Eng Onek however in his own words said “My success to-date is because of the good advice and courage Mzee Okeny instilled in me to pursue business. I was a young man then when I met Mzee Okeny, but what he advised me has seen me grow”
He said Mzee Okeny will always be remembered for his big heart.
Mzee Okeny is survived by two widows, 25 children, 53 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
