What a Life: Tragic Life Under Military Rule

By EMMANUEL IGWARO ODONGO- AGINYA

Peter Opiyo, dogged by misfortunes after a very successful career rising from a Graduate Teacher
to a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education during the military regime in Uganda. He
was happily married to Rose, a Matron at Mulago Hospital even though Rose was barren. Tragedy
began when the father of Peter, Robert Opiyo, was shot to death by robbers in Nairobi where he
was the Regional Manager of Trans Ocean, Uganda Limited with its main Headquarters in
Kampala, Robert Opiyo's murder was planned from Uganda with involvement of the Government
State Research Bureau. While in Gulu for the burial of his father, Peter's house in Kampala is
burgled in spite that Peter's house is sandwiched between two Senior Army Officers, in Princess
Anne Avenue, in Kololo. e Peter's neighbours claimed ignorance of the breakage. Beside this, on
their way from Gulu back to Kampala as they approached Bombo Town, where a military barracks
is located, a military lorry drove straight into the path of their car. To avoid a head of collusion,
Peter swerved off the road and the car rolled several times into the valley before bursting into
flames. During the fall, Peter was thrown out of the car and sustained multiple fractures but Rose,
strapped in her seat belt, was burnt to ashes. After recovery, Peter took the remains of Rose and
buried her next to his father's grave. Peter was completely broken, with the loss of his wife, father,
and property. His inadequate salary as Permanent Secretary and with no access or benefits from
his employment began to feel the pinch of poverty. Peter's childhood friends, Andrew and Walter
became his sole-mates supporting him financially. To bail himself out the financial challenges,
Peter tried his hands at various smuggling businesses. but, all ended in failures. The only glimpse
of hope was in the ivory tusks which 'nearly succeeded' but in the last minute, they were out-
smarted by a disloyal friend who disappeared into thin air Peter's heart broke and he gave up
trying any other 'illegal' business but because he had met a lady in Gulu who looked like his dead
wife Rose, he fell in love with her and proposed marriage after a one night-stand who also visited
him to 'check out his social and financial status' before giving in to be' his wife. To win her, Peter
once again was lured into another attempt and this time in 'gold trade' smuggled from Zaire and
sold in Kampala. His fortune ran out again and this time, he called it quits. His nephew a rich
young man of Nebbi loan him the cash to procure the gold, deal which failed felt so sorry for Peter.
Peter decided to come back to Kampala and continue with his job but after seeing Rosemary.
Peter went to Wilobo Inn to meet Rosemary but found that she was off duty attending her
introduction engagement ceremony. With a new husband. To console himself, he drank a bottle
of the local brew he had bought in Pakwach. After he decided to walk to the Railway Station in
Gulu but his life was cut short. A military truck coming from the Kampala side to Gulu knocked
him dead.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H21B1KFP
• ISBN13: 9798249971458
• Release Date: April 2024
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 206 Pages
• Weight: 1.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 11.0"