The Soroti Catholic Diocese is saddened as they mourn the untimely passing of Reverend Father Alex Ben Odeke, who tragically collapsed and succumbed after engaging in a spirited volleyball game.
Reverend Father Odeke had diligently served as the Parish Priest of Uganda Martyr’s Parish Kachumbala in Bukedea district. Prior to the fateful incident, he had undertaken his customary duties, including conducting Mass, counseling individuals, and participating in a volleyball match during the afternoon.
The shocking turn of events unfolded as Fr. Odeke collapsed after the volleyball game, prompting a swift rush to Elgon Hospital in Mbale, as revealed in a statement from Soroti Catholic Diocese. Padre Gonzaga Ongereny, the Chancellor of the diocese, expressed the profound shock felt within the Church community due to Fr. Odeke’s sudden demise.
In a tentative burial program released on Friday night, Padre Gonzaga Ongereny conveyed the need for collective composure to plan and execute the necessary arrangements for the farewell to their departed brother.
The late Fr. Odeke is remembered by the Christians in Bukedea and Serere as a dedicated and affectionate priest, renowned for his unwavering loyalty in serving the community.
As per the tentative burial program, the final resting place for Fr. Odeke is scheduled to be the Soroti Diocesan Cemetery in Madera, Soroti East Division, Soroti City, with the burial ceremony set for Monday.
This somber occurrence echoes a pattern of unexpected losses within the clergy, as seen in the recent collapse and demise of Rev. Fr. Denis Isa Iranya in Arua City last month. Additionally, in 2020, the Archdeacon of Kapelebyong Church of Uganda, Venerable George Robert Okodu, met a similar fate while conducting a funeral service in Odusai village, Kobuin parish, Kapelebyong district.
The string of untimely deaths underscores the vulnerability of those who dedicate their lives to religious service, leaving the community grappling with the profound impact of these sudden losses.
