The former minister of Ethics and Integrity Fr Simon Lokodo has died. Fr Lokodo reportedly collapsed during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit, where he passed on this morning.
Fr Lokodo had travelled to Geneva to represent the chairman of the Uganda Human Rights Commission during the Universal Periodic Review working group which is reviewing Uganda’s human rights record.
At the time of his death, Fr Lokodo was a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, where he was deployed by President Yoweri Museveni after he was dropped from Cabinet. He was aged 64.
“It’s with great shock and pain that we have learnt of the passing of our Honourable Member of the Commission, Fr. Simon Lokodo. He passed on this morning in Geneva Switzerland. The Commission will share details in due course,” UHRC announced through its official Twitter handle.
Fr Lokodo served for nearly 10-years as Minister for Ethics. He previously served as state minister for industry from 2009 to 2011 when he was appointed minister for ethics. He also represented Dodoth County in parliament and he was ex-communicated from priesthood by Pope Benedict after he joined elective politics.
He held a degree in arts in theology from Pontifical Urbaniana University, he also possessed a master’s degree in theology which he obtained from the University of Rome. Other qualifications included a diploma in rural sociology, a diploma in social communication, diploma in philosophy and social science.
He was instrumental in the enactment of the anti-pornography Act. He vehemently condemned acts of homosexuality and lesbianism.
–URN
