Dennis Ojwee
13 November 2009
Kampala — ONE kilometre south east of Odek trading centre in Gulu, a group of 10 youth are helping to dig the grave where Kony's mother Norah Anek Oting will be buried.
It is her ancestral home, although no one has lived there since the 1980's and the place is consumed by bush.
Down at the centre, where relatives of Anek are gathered, there is normalcy, and a few of the relatives are making arrangements to receive Anek's body.
Along the Pader-Gulu R)Road in Odek, people are going about their business. In most cases, when someone in the community dies, a shadow of darkness falls over Odek. However, there was no such shadow of gloom in Odek when Anek died.
She will be buried just 50 metres away from the road, opposite Odek Primary School, where her son, Joseph Kony, went to School.
The population of Odek is thin and about 20 soldiers have come to the ground to help the youth clear the burial ground and homestead.
An elder, Odoki Severino Oryang, 84, said her death had already happened, and there was no need for crying.
Despite the callous mood, Anek's close relatives are mourning.
Her younger sister, Bicentina Ayako, 60, said the death of Anek was unfortunate.
"She was our only elder sister, her presence was important," said Ayako.
Kony's cousin, Thomas Ojera, 34, wanted Anek to live until her son returned from the bush.
"We are saddened by the death of our mother, she could have lived a little bit longer to as the pillar of the home while we wait for Kony to return."
Anek's relatives say they have no problem with her, even if her son, Kony, has caused suffering to them.
Anek is survived by three children, Joseph Kony, currently said to be in Garamba, Gabrialla Lakot, 52 and Betty Akidi, 30.
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