In the early 1990s, the international aid agency, Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR) came to support the people of greater Northern Uganda during a very difficult time of the insurgency. CPAR wisely sought to benefit from the wisdom, advice and strategic direction of highly skilled and experienced Ugandans of high ethical and moral standing.
You, Princes Mary Stella Arach, were such a Ugandan to whom CPAR reached out. And you graciously accepted to become a member of CPAR’s Uganda Country Advisory Committee. Subsequently, in 2008, when CPAR indigenised its Uganda country programme into an independent Ugandan nonprofit development organisation, you played a crucial role:
- Provided legal counsel and authored the legal opinion the basis on which the CPAR Uganda country programme transformed into an independent development organisation, CPAR Uganda Ltd.
- Provided legal counsel that facilitated the smooth curving out and legal separation of CPAR Uganda Ltd from CPAR – including the former inheriting the assets and liabilities of the latter in Uganda.
- Became among the Founder Members of CPAR Uganda Ltd.
- Served as a Board Member of the first Board of Directors of CPAR Uganda Ltd.
For over thirty years, through CPAR and CPAR Uganda Ltd, you, Princes Arach, so generously gave of your time and expertise in service of the public good. As a Country Advisory Committee Member and as a Board Member you provided leadership and support to the secretariats and programme implementation teams of CPAR and CPAR Uganda Ltd.
And you did it all without any financial remuneration to you; and, in some cases, you instead made financial contribution in support of CPAR’s charitable causes. Through CPAR and CPAR Uganda Ltd, you shared and used your illustrious formal education for the benefit of others less advantaged.
You held a Masters Degree from Haifa University, Israel; Post graduate legal practice Diploma from Law Development Centre; a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Makerere University Kampala; Uganda Advance Certificate of Education through St. Mary’s College Namagunga in Lugazi; Uganda Ordinary Certificate of Education through Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School in Gulu and Primary Leaving Education Certificate through Ambali Primary School in Lira.
For 69 years, you lived under various administrations of Uganda that had varied styles of leadership. You were born on 16th April 1954 while Uganda was a British Protectorate. You were only eight years old in 1962 when Uganda attained independent political rule from the British colonialists. And you lived through the many subsequent regimes of the eight presidents of Uganda since 1962 – Mutesa, Obote, Amin, Lule, Binaisa, Muwanga, Obote II, Lutwa and Museveni.
You rested on 17th June 2023, after having selflessly served your country for decades. For 44 years you served in different capacities in the Justice System of the Republic of Uganda. When you lost the battle to cancer and rested, you were serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
“The casket containing the remains of Justice Stella Arach-Amoko lies in state at the Parliament of Uganda.” the Kampala Report
But above all else, a princess rooted in the culture of her people, the Jonam, you remained true. Nyakwar Rwot Daca (Princes) Mary Stella Arach, grandchild of Rwot (Chief) Dacaunder Kaal Ker Kwaro Jonam Kapita, what a life of service above self you lived.
What a legacy you bequeathed your children.
What a legacy you bequeathed Ragem Chiefdom of the Jonam people.
What a legacy you bequeathed us at CPAR and CPAR Uganda Ltd.
What a legacy you bequeathed the justice system of Uganda.
What a legacy you bequeathed women world over.
We have no doubt your spirit rests well in the bosom of the spirits or your ancestors gone before you. May your soul find eternal rest, we pray.
CPAR Uganda Ltd 