By KT Reporter
The North Karamoja Diocese is mourning the death of one of its most senior priests, Rev. John Bosco Achilla, who was killed in a road accident on Christmas Day. Rev. Achilla, the Archdeacon and All Saints Church Parish Priest in Abim, was on his way to administer baptism when his vehicle got involved in a head-on collision with a Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) vehicle, registration number H4DF 2383. The accident occurred at Akado Cell in Kiru Town Council, Abim District, killing him on the spot.
The tragedy has left the Church and the wider Abim community in shock, with one of the Diocese’s most experienced religious leaders dying in a rare accident while heading for a church service. Marksfish Okori, a parishioner at All Saints Church–Abim, said that although the baptism ceremony proceeded, Mass and Christmas celebrations in the district were severely disrupted.
“Everything was totally paralyzed by the news of his death,” Okori told Uganda Radio Network (URN) on phone on Friday. The North Karamoja Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Alfred Okello, described Rev. Achilla’s death as a painful loss that leaves a gap difficult to fill. He said the Church is deeply saddened and bereaved, adding that the Diocese, under the leadership of Bishop Simon Aisu, will seek justice.
Meanwhile, the UPDF issued an apology in a statement, saying it had instituted investigations into the incident. “The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) 5 Infantry Division has learned with deep regret of a fatal road traffic accident that occurred at about 0700 hours on 25 December 2025 in Kiru Town Council, Abim District,” the statement read.
The Division’s Public Information Officer, Captain Ibrahim Sekitto, confirmed that a thorough investigation has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the accident, assuring the public that findings will be communicated upon completion. Gilbert Okwi, the Abim Assistant Resident District Commissioner, said the driver and the vehicle involved in the accident have been detained at Abim Central Police Station as investigations continue.
Rev. Achilla served as the Education Secretary of the North Karamoja Diocese and was a curate to the Emeritus Bishop. He previously served at Christ the King Cathedral Parish in Kotido, as well as parishes in Kaabong, Kiru, and All Saints Church–Abim, where he served until his death.
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