ISO's Oluka collapsed while labelling offertory envelopes — widow

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Internal Security Organisation (ISO) director general, Charles Oluka, died while labelling offertory envelopes, his widow, Harriet Oluka Akisa has said.

“I welcomed him and we exchanged pleasantries before he went to the washroom. When he returned, he got the marker to label the envelopes we were going to put in the offertory bag and our contribution as a family for supporting the priest’s project in Mbarara,” Akisa says.

“I was in front of him and all of a sudden I saw him collapsing! I couldn’t help him and immediately I screamed, attracting the attention of the family members,” a sorrowful Akisa said as the church went silent with some congregants breaking down.

The widow made the revelations during a requiem Mass at St Patrick Catholic Church Madera in Soroti city on February 5, 2025. It is from this church that Oluka received his confirmation and holy matrimony sacraments.

The widow giving her eulogy as Dr Patricia Achan, the family friend, stood by her side. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

The top government spy passed on January 29, 2025, after collapsing and being rushed to Sseguku Hospital on Entebbe Road in Wakiso district.

News of Oluka's death was announced by the special presidential assistant in charge of press and mobilisation, also deputy spokesperson, Faruk Kirunda, in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

The day he died

According to Akisa, they used to pray in turns as a couple and that morning, it was his turn to lead the family in the morning prayers before he could go to work. Indeed, he performed this task.

However, that day, the family was meant to host the Rev. Fr. John Baptist Bashobora, a close family friend, from Mbarara Diocese.  

“Despite his busy schedule he managed to return that evening to join us for Mass because the priest had arrived. He even greeted him together with other family members in the living room,” Akisa said.

Unknown to the priest, the greetings served as their last meeting! Oluka went to his master’s bedroom upstairs where his wife was at about 8:00 pm.

However, it is in the bedroom that he collapsed and died.

Vicar general, Robert Ecogu, blessing the body after the preaching. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

Love life

On a lighter note, Akisa shared their love story with mourners, especially about a wedding that she least expected to happen.

“Twenty-two months ago, Charles called me to join him at our veranda. He called me with a very soft voice and when I came, he asked me to take my seat and looking me through the eyes, he told me: 'Let's wed',” Akiisa, who has a set of twins with Oluka, said.

“I was like, wait, stop kidding! Is this real? “He answered in the affirmative. When I asked him when it was going to take place, he replied that I had come up with the date,” Akisa recalled.

She revealed that she quickly went behind their house and called her sister-in-law Sr Anaso to break the good news.

“I asked Sr Florence if she believes in miracles,” these memories brought smiles to the faces of the grieving mourners.

Teso and Kumam cultural leaders, Sande Paul Emolot and Raphael Otaya, respectively attended the masses.

The two cultural leaders asked the family to remain united and keep the legacy of their father shining.