Oulanyah (in brown kitenge shirt) with other leaders during at prayer session at the event (Courtesy Photo)
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has lauded late Australian missionary Irene Gleeson, who dedicated her life to supporting the children of Kitgum District, northern Uganda, whose lives were disrupted first by war then by HIV/AIDS.
Officiating at the annual Irene Gleeson Memorial Charity walk in Kitgum,
Oulanyah urged Ugandans to emulate the philanthropist who he said chose to carry out charity work in Kitgum district so as to give hope and a future to a society affected by war.
“Sacrifice and charity are the hallmark of the life of Irene Gleeson who showed us that if you want comfort, then you cannot help anyone else. We should emulate her and help people live up to their full potential,” Oulanyah said.
The Deputy Speaker made the remarks at the annual Irene Gleeson Charity Walk in Kitgum district on Saturday, 20 July 2019. The walk was aimed at raising funds for the construction of the Irene Gleeson Memorial Library and Youth Training Centre.
Oulanyah said that the Irene Gleeson Foundation based its work on eight core principals of Christianity including service, compassion, giving to the underprivileged and endurance among others; which ought to be emulated.
He also cautioned the youth against irresponsible behaviour, which has seen some of then with unplanned pregnancies.
“I told young girls in Pader district the other day that elopement messes you up by delaying or ruining your chances. If you have to start a family, get married first,” Oulanyah said.
The Charge’ d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, Chen Huixin, who was the chief walker, said that support of the Chinese Government to Uganda can be likened to the work of Irene Gleeson.
“China has sent medical staff to work at the China-Uganda Friendship hospital in Naguru. There will also be 99 scholarships to Ugandan students to study in China in 2019. Here, we converge with mother Irene Gleeson in her efforts,” Chen Huixin said.
Former Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said that Irene Gleeson lived up to the teaching of servant leadership through her charity work in Kitgum district.
“Our people need to know how to serve their country. If you want to succeed, you have to be faithful and trustworthy in your work. Irene Gleeson brought hope to the young people of Kitgum, and we ought to follow in her footsteps,” Orombi said.
The event was also graced by State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Okello Oryem, Lamwo Woman MP, Hon. Lanyero Molly, Pader Woman MP, Hon. CD Lowila Oketayot and the Charge d’Affaires of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Uganda, Banda Mohammed Alfaifi.
Gleeson first came to war-torn northern Uganda in 1992 and parked her caravan in the Lord’s Resistance Army territory close to the then-border of Sudan, and over the years built her orphan school around it.
She was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2010 for “service to international relations, particularly through sustained aid for children affected by war and HIV-AIDS in northern Uganda.” She died in 2013 after a yearlong battle with cancer.
News Agencies contributed to this report.
