Former ethics and integrity minister Fr Simon Lokodo has passed on this January 29 morning. (Read story here).
Here is a quick look at his profile, life and times, as well as legacy:
LOKODO: A QUICK PROFILE
Date of birth: October 28, 1957
Place of birth: Present day Kaabong District in Karamoja sub-region
Career: Priest & Politician
Education
Degrees
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology – Pontifical Urbaniana University
- Master of Arts in Theology – Pontifical Urbaniana University
Diplomas
- Diploma in Rural Sociology
- Diploma in Social Communication
- Diploma in Philosophy & Social Science
- Diploma in Theology
Certificates
- Certificate in German Language (from Austria)
- Certificate in French Language (from Paris, France)
Career
Until 2006: Parish priest for Kaabong Parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotido.
Pope Benedict XVI defrocked him and ex-communicated him from the Catholic Church for joining politics
2006: Elected Dodoth County MP
2009: Appointed junior minister for industry
2011: Replaced Nsaba Buturo as Ethics and Integrity Minister
2021: Dropped from cabinet, appointed UHRC Commissioner
January 29, 2022: Died in Geneva, Switzerland
Legacy
- Will be remembered for his defiance against the Catholic Church by insisting on joining politics
- Hated among homosexuality and LGBTI rights communities and activists for pushing legislation and actions against them
- Proposed sanctions against mini-skirts
- Insisted on punishing celebrities and other Ugandans whose private photos leaked online
- Insisted on policing the Nyege Nyege festival to weed ‘immorality’ out of activities at the arts and cultural celebration
