Author: Obaj Ojuk | Published: 2 hours ago
late Eng. Conty Okot P’ Ogwaro – courtesy image
The family of the late senior petroleum ministry official, Conty Okot Ogwaro, has cancelled all earlier burial arrangements, including the overnight prayer vigil and requiem mass, citing the unresolved circumstances surrounding his killing.
Ogwaro, who was the Director General of Pipeline Affairs at the Ministry of Petroleum, was shot dead on Monday under unclear circumstances along the Customs–Rock City Road in Juba.
In a statement seen by Eye Radio, the family said the decision follows guidance from elders in the village, contrary to the earlier funeral program which included the overnight prayer vigil and requiem mass scheduled for Friday and Saturday respectively.
Speaking to Eye Radio on Friday morning, the uncle of the deceased, John Otim, said the family has chosen a traditional burial because the circumstances of the killing are yet to be established.
“Traditionally, when somebody is killed in the cold blood, we bury it traditionally. We don’t take it to the church, and from where actually was being killed, or where the body, we cannot take even the body in the house,” he explained.
“Now, when our elders from the family in the village, they direct the people in Juba, that we should not carry the blood in the house. Because we don’t know who have killed. And we cannot bring it in the house. From, the mortuary, it will be taken immediately. It will be buried, and people will come home for gathering. So, this is what the family come to, from the advice from the village, and that we are directing now,” he added.
Otim said the family is still waiting for official communication from the authorities, noting that information so far has largely come from social media.
“The case is open. And me, myself, as the other family member, we went to the mortuary with the officer from the police station. We went to the mortuary. We did all the procedures. And now what we left, we want to wait for the attorney general to give us a way forward,” he said.
He further explained that prayers and church services would only be considered once the perpetrators are identified.
