Zombo District in the West Nile region mourns the passing of its Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Rt Lt Col Pius Alitema, who tragically succumbed to an undisclosed cause on March 8, 2024, while en route to Arua Regional Referral Hospital.
Confirming the news, Zombo LV Chairperson James Oruna Oyulu expressed the unfortunate nature of the event, stating, “It has just happened; it’s quite unfortunate.” Lt Col Pius Alitema, who took over from RDC Kanjoyingi in 2022, earned praise from Zombo residents for his adept handling of land disputes and addressing corruption-related issues.
The circumstances surrounding Alitema’s demise remain unclear, marking the second loss among Museveni RDCs within a month, following Hoima Deputy RCC Hajjat Stella Nanyanzi, who succumbed to diabetes at Mulago Hospital last month.
Lt Col Pius Alitema’s passing adds to the somber statistics, becoming the fifth Museveni RDC to pass away in just three years. The preceding losses include Joseph Sekasamba, Deputy RDC of Kitagwenda District (January 20, 2023), Nsereko Mutumba, RDC Kayunga District (August 3, 2022), and Balasa Ogajjo, RDC Namayingo District (August 17, 2022).
As Zombo District reflects on this loss, the community pays tribute to a leader whose tenure was marked by dedication and commendable efforts in navigating complex challenges.
