By Moses Lokeris and Lazaro Apunyo
Businessmen and entrepreneurs from the Karamoja Sub-region have poured in their tributes and condolence messages as they struggle to come to terms with the death of business mogul, Cornelius Lorika Kodet.
Kodet, the proprietor of a string of businesses including Aero Beach Entebbe, Mount Moroto Hotel, and Apule Safari Lodge among others died on Sunday December 8, at Nakasero Hospital, Kampala, aged 81.
Since the time of his death tributes and condolence messages have been pouring in from relatives, politicians and business acquaintances.
Sylvester Onyang, the proprietor of Heritage F.M based in Nakapiripirit District, expressed profound shock over Kodet’s death, describing it as a big loss not only to Karamoja Sub-Region but to the whole country.
He said that Kodet, a resident of Namalu Sub-county in Nakapiripirit District, was the first man to establish a hotel in Moroto, which inspired other business magnates to build hotels in Moroto and other parts of Karamoja.
Simon Nangiro, a business man and chairperson Karamoja Elders Association, eulogized the deceased as a strong business consultant, who inspired and mentored many people in business in his time on earth.
In his tribute, Paul Abul, an elder and a friend to the late remembered him as an entrepreneur and a brother who helped create jobs for many people and used to advise the Karamojong people to eschew the culture of rustling and venture in business to spur development.
He also added that the late was a strong advocate for local investment in tourism and regional development, noting that his legacy will live in the minds of Karamoja people forever.
According to the tentative funeral schedule, a funeral service will be held at All Saints Cathedral Kampala on December, 10, 2025, after which the body will be taken to his home in Entebbe for a vigil.
On December, 11, the procession will move to his residence in Mbale, and on December, 12, the body will be transported to Lomorunyanga Village in Namalu Sub-county, Nakapiripirit District, where he will be laid to rest on December, 14.
