Today, Tuesday, 15th February 2022, as part of the week-long aipuduno ceremonies for Papa Emorimor Osuban, now rested, there will be a requiem mass held at Kololo Independence Grounds with 500 dignitaries, including His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kagutta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, in attendance.

You see, in 1979, albeit for a short term, Papa Emorimor Osuban was the Minister of Works, Housing and Urban Development. In service of his country, however, he will be most remembered for his illustrious career as a civil servant. From 1954, for 35 years, he served in Uganda’s civil service, until he reached the retirement age of 55 years; retiring in August 1989.

At the time of his retirement, he was the Commissioner of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF), the highest technical position in MAAIF; a position that made him the Chief Technical Advisor of Government on agriculture and agricultural policy.

Within MAAIF, he served in different capacities and while stationed in different parts of Uganda. Notably, in the 1970s, he was responsible for the three agricultural colleges of Arapai, Bukalasa and Busitema; and twenty District Farm Institutes. As Northern (Acholi, Lango and West Nile) Regional Agricultural Officer, based in Gulu, he was responsible for the supervision of agricultural extension in the promotion of agricultural production of both food and cash crops.

In the 1960s, in addition to being the Principal of Arapai Agricultural College, he taught Agricultural Economics, Farm Management and Agricultural Extension to Diploma students of the College. Prior to that, in the 1950s he was a Laboratory Assistant posted to Serere Research Station.

For this reason it is right and fitting that he is accorded a state funeral.