Memory Eternal !

Memory Eternal to Dawson Gulere Wambi
(26 July 1970 - 11 March 2001)

On behalf of SYNDESMOS, the Board of Administration and Staff would like to express their sincere sympathy and condolences to Cornelius Gulere Wambi (SYNDESMOS Africa Region Representative) and his family on the death of his brother Dawson. May he rest in a place where there is neither sickness nor sorrow nor sighing, but life everlasting!

The years 2001-2010 will mark the decade to overcome violence (DOV), a project initiated by the World Council of Churches (WCC), following numerous experiences of violence in many parts of the world over the last century. The Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa launched DOV activities in March 2001, and major events took place to mark the launching in Uganda on 24 March 2001. Other parts of the world have already marked the DOV and many more will do so soon.

"It is now twelve painful days since the Presidential elections in Uganda", says Cornelius. "The three months of campaigning were too painful, characterised by violence among the common electorate and amongst the candidates themselves, resulting in the loss of life, property and human dignity. I could cite many examples to support this conclusion, but allow me to use the living example still fresh within my own heart."

"My younger brother, Dawson Wambi Jr was burnt to death by a mob, on Sunday 11 March 2001, while he was on his way to supervise the elections in Kotido district, 600 km from his homeland. He was a stranger using a strange language and with a strange face."

"Dawson Wambi died trying to bring justice to our society. When he replaced me as General Secretary of the Orthodox Youth in Uganda, I knew he would make a difference. Dawson was a volunteer worker with the National Election Monitoring Group in charge of Kotido district. He was General Secretary of the Uganda Orthodox Church Youth Association and a member of the United Religious Initiative - Uganda Chapter and the Peace and Conflict Resolutions committee of the Peace and Justice Committee of the Uganda Joint Christian Council. He was a father of a boy aged 4 years and married to a wife of 26 years. He has parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and numerous friends, among other responsibilities and relationships."

The funeral service took place on 14 March 2001 at St Spyridon Orthodox parish in Nsinze. May the soul of Dawson, and all those who have suffered and died in similar circumstances in Gulu, Kanungu, Kasese, Teso here in Uganda and elsewhere in the world rest in eternal peace together with the Saints.