The burial of former Supreme Court judge, Stella Amoko Arach, has been postponed due to an ongoing family dispute regarding the choice of burial grounds.
The disagreement has emerged between the children and the husband, Ambassador James Amoko, with the former desiring their mother to be laid to rest at the ancestral grounds in Nebbi, while the latter prefers Adjumani. In a circular issued on Thursday, Judiciary Chief Registrar Sara Langa announced the postponement of the burial.
"This is to inform you that due to factors beyond our control, the burial of the late Hon. Lady Justice Stella Amoko Arach, justice of the Supreme Court, will not take place on Friday, June 23, 2023, as had been planned. New dates will be communicated in due course." she stated.
The timing of this development coincides with the deceased's children seeking legal intervention to challenge the decision to bury their mother in Adjumani, as previously announced.
Annette Yossa, Amony Jackie, and Komakech Emmanuel, the deceased's children, filed an application with the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala, requesting an order to bury their mother at Juba Village, Jukia Hill Ward, Nebbi Municipality in Nebbi district.
"The applicants are desirous of having their mother buried in a dignified, peaceful, and prompt manner at her ancestral home in Nebbi Municipality, as per her expressed wish at the time of her demise." The court documents asserts
The deceased's brother, sister, and niece attest that through her oral will, Justice Amoko expressed her desire to be buried at her ancestral grounds in Nebbi. They argue that the earlier announcement of Adjumani as the burial grounds contradicted her wishes.
According to an affidavit from the deceased's brother, Godfrey Picho, on June 10, while on her sickbed, the late judge expressed her belief that she would not live much longer. She requested that in the event of her passing, her remains be taken to her ancestral grounds in Nebbi for burial.
"She told me that if anything went wrong, she would wish that I ensure that she is taken back home in Nebbi and laid to rest near her late dad Michael Pacho and her aunt, Julia Angeyo, at their ancestral home at Jukia Hill Ward, Nebbi Municipality." Picho states
The court is scheduled to address the application later today and determine the final resting place for Justice Stella Amoko Arach. The deceased's family and children, represented by their lawyers from Gem Advocates, had earlier communicated their wishes to the Judiciary's Chief Registrar.
They expressed their disappointment and shock at the contrary positions communicated by Ambassador James ldule's relatives during a meeting at the president's office, contradicting the unanimous decision reached at a family meeting on May 18, one day after her demise, to lay her to rest in Nebbi.
In light of potential disregard for their communication, the lawyers stated that they had been instructed to pursue legal actions to protect and uphold the deceased's wishes.
