Soroti came together to mourn the loss of Chief Magistrate Margaret Aanyu, who passed away on Sunday, October 15, at Kampala Hospital. She was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at her home. A requiem mass was held on Friday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Soroti City to bid farewell to Aanyu, with mourners from various parts of Teso in attendance.
The Passing of Chief Magistrate Margaret Aanyu
Chief Magistrate Margaret Aanyu, who had been serving in Soroti for the past three years, breathed her last at Kampala Hospital. She was a familiar face at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, her place of worship since her deployment to Soroti, where she had received the sacraments of baptism and confirmation in her childhood.
Special Session in Her Memory
Soroti High Court held a special session in her memory, marking her as the first judiciary official to have her remains lie in the chambers where she once dispensed justice. This session followed a requiem mass at St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Church in Ntinda. Principal Judge Dr. Flavian Zeija led a delegation of Judicial Officers from various court levels to pay their respects. Aanyu had dedicated 14 years of service to the Judiciary.
Celebrating a Life Well Lived
During the requiem mass at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Fr. Jerome Agelu presided over the service, joined by dignitaries such as Soroti High Court Judge Dr. Henry Adonyo, Soroti West MP Jonathan Ebwalu, former Teso Affairs Minister Christine Amongin Aporu, and the Regional Police Commander Kyoga East Damalie Nachuha, along with magistrates and members of the business community.
Fr. Agelu remarked, “We are celebrating a life well lived. During the silver jubilee of her brother as a priest, Aanyu took the position of a receptionist where she was in charge of sitting guests, that is how simple Margaret was.” He also emphasized the universality of death, saying, “Death is not for a certain section of people. It’s for all, rich or poor; God calls them at his time. We only need to be prepared as children of God.”
Tributes and Memories
MP Jonathan Ebwalu praised Aanyu for her dedicated service to Soroti and for not being associated with any record of extorting money from the people appearing before her. Former Teso Affairs Minister Christine Amongin Aporu remembered Aanyu as an obedient officer who cared deeply for her culture, often translating her rulings in Ateso for those who couldn’t read. Retired Chief Magistrate Robert Imalingat, who had met her a day before her death, expressed his shock at her sudden passing.
Margaret Aanyu is survived by her son, Ian Ekomolit, the child of Onapito Ekomolit, though the couple had separated a few years after Ian’s birth.
Education and Career
Aanyu’s educational journey took her through Fr. Hilders, Madera Girls for primary, Tororo Girls for O level, and Ngora High School for A level. She then pursued her Bachelor of Laws at Makerere University and completed her postgraduate bar course at the Law Development Center (LDC) in 1997. Her career included roles as a legal associate, a legal officer, and service in the Inspectorate of Government. She joined the Judiciary as a grade one magistrate in Nakawa, Lyantonde, and Matugga before being promoted to the position of chief magistrate in 2021, serving in Soroti until her passing.
The funeral service will be held in Kasoka, Bukedea District on Saturday, October 21, as family, friends, colleagues, and the community bid their final farewell to Chief Magistrate Margaret Aanyu.
