Museveni Calls for Unity and Peace in Northern Uganda at Burial of Late Bishop Melchiedek Saul Otim Acar’s Wife

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Museveni Calls for Unity and Peace in Northern Uganda at Burial of Late Bishop Melchiedek Saul Otim Acar’s Wife

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has mourned with the Lango Diocese and West Lango Diocese, calling for unity and peace in remembrance of the contributions of the late pioneer Bishop of Lango Diocese, Melchiedek Saul Otim Acar.
The President’s message was delivered by the Government Chief Whip and Lira City Woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero Okato, who was the chief mourner at the burial of Joyce Otim, wife of the late Bishop Emeritus Melchizedek Otim, at All Saints Cathedral, Boroboro.
Lira Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Emmy Egole hailed the late Joyce Otim for the strong bond she shared with her husband, saying the couple worked together and contributed to the development of Lango.
He said Joyce’s legacy will remain an important part of the region’s history.
Sam Atul, the Provincial Head of laity of the Church of Uganda and Mayor of Lira City, urged the Mothers’ Union to maintain strong leadership, leave a good legacy and uphold the values of service and respect as demonstrated by the late Joyce Otim.
The Bishop Emeritus of Lango Diocese, Bishop Odur Kami, who succeeded Bishop Melchizedek Otim, called on Christians to repent and prepare for life after death during his sermon at Joyce Otim’s burial.
The third Bishop of Lango Diocese, Prof. Alfred Olwa, praised Joyce Otim and her late husband for their contribution to strengthening the Christian faith and promoting peace in Lango and beyond.
Among those who attended the burial were Kwania District woman MP Kenny Auma Lapat, Dokolo Woman MP Sarah Aguti Nyangkori, MP me Lamwo Nyeko Johnson Kejikia, Former WMP Ambassador Joy Ruth Aceng, Former MP Dokolo South Felix Okot Ogong, Benson Obua Ogwal former MP Moroto, Levy Okodi Mac Pio, Peter Ocen Akalo formMP Kole North, UPC Party President Jimmy Akena also Former MP Lira City East Division.
Others that attended the burial were the Provincial Secretary of the Church of Uganda, Rev. Can. Capt. William Ongeng; the Bishop of West Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Julius Ceaser Nina Otim; Bishop Emeritus Johnson Kakumba of Northern Uganda; Bishop Emeritus Alfred Alex Acur Okodi of West Lango; Bishop Emeritus Mark Lord Baker Ocola of Kitgum; Bishop Emeritus Nelson Onono Onweng of Northern Uganda; Prof. Alfred Olwa; and Bishop Emeritus Odur Kami of Lango Diocese.
The late Joyce Otim was laid to rest today at All Saints Cathedral Cemetery in Boroboro, next to the grave of her late husband, Bishop Emeritus Melchizedek Otim.
Seventeen other people, including Rev. Can. Sira Dongo, Rev. Can. Saka Ogwal, Rev. Can. EJ Opito, Rev. Can. William Await Okodi and his wife Aya Constance Okodi, and Rev. Can. Lawrence Ogwal, were also laid to rest at the cemetery.
Aya Joyce Otim was born on 12 June 1943 and died on 14 August 2026 at the age of 83 while her Husband Bishop Emeritus Melchizedek Saul Otim Acar served as the first Bishop of Lango Diocese from 1976, following his appointment by the late Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Janani Luwum and he died in October 2019, after retiring from active service in 2000.