Mr James Labalpinyi Apinyi (1936-1971) RIP

Born in 1936 at Laguti Lacek-Ocot to Manaci Lacona Dire (Son of Rwot Awic) of Payira Kal and Maria Ladwong. Apinyi attended various schools including St Alosius Virika, Fort Portal where he obtained his Cambridge School Certificate. He was one of few young ugandans who were selected to join the Uganda Police force as Assistant inspector-trainee. He qualified in 1959 with distinction. His diligence aptitude and good conduct soon earned him a scholarship to do a crash Officers course at Ketterick in England. He was then promoted to an Assistant Superintendant of Police (ASP). He was again promoted to Senior Assistant Superitendant of Police (SASP) in 1969 and transferred to the Special Forces.

Apinyi was abducted by Amin's Soldiers on the morning of the 25th January 1971, dragged away and has never been seen again. His remains have not been found up to today. Apinyi was a prompt Officer, pleasant to work with and was liked by his superiors and subordinates alike. He was a gentle and understanding person. His Family, relatives and friends have missed him since that sad morning.

Mrs Filder Mary Apinyi

Mrs Filda Mary Ojok (Acoo) APINYI.
Born as Acoo at Rhino Camp in 1942 to Yce Ojok and Ynia Akoko of attiak Pupwonya in Northern Uganda. She attended Gulu Primary School and St. Monica's Secondary school (C.M.S Gulu). Then she joined Boroboro Teacher Training College, Lira to qualify as a teacher. afer brief teacing experience, she won a scholarship to study in Edinburgh in Scotland. She obtained a Diploma in Infant Teaching. In 1965 she returned to Uganda and taught at Gulu Primary School. Filda then wedded Mr James Apiny in 1967. In 1968 the family moved to Kampala from Gulu. Mr Apiny was transferred to Police Headquarters in Kampala on promotion. She taught for sometime at naguru Katale Primary School in Kampala.

The trumoils of Idi Amin's coup in 1971 and subsequent murder of her husband James Apinyi did not deter her from pursuing further studies, and looking after her young children. In 1976 she was admitted for a diploma course in education at Makerere University Kampala, she completed in 1979, thus becoming a fully fledged Ugandan Grade 5 (Graduate) Teacher. She was devoted to her teaching as a Tutor at Shimoni Teacher Training College where she was Head of the Infant Teaching Department.

Lumps were discovered in her breast early enough, but it worsened so quickly that she underwent an apparently succssful operation at Nsambya Hospital in 1982. But unfortunatley the cancer recurred in 1986. This time it was so severe and it rapidly spread that her life could not be saved even after several surgeries and chemo-therapy treatment at Rugaba Hospital and Nairobi hospitals. Filda sadly and untimely passed away at Mulago Hospital at 11:00am on the 13th August 1992. She was buried at St Philip's Church Cemetery Gulu. Filda is survived by three sons: ~Tukupe, Ocora and Candano.

Filda was a caring and loving mother and sister. She was hardworking, friendly and helpful to all. Her kindness, her soothing smile and reassuring laughter shall abe missed by her sons, relatives and friends who know her.

Wedding Day

Mr James Apinyi (center) and Mrs Filder Mary Acoo Apinyi (Right)on their wedding day in 1967. Gulu, Holy Rosary Church.

Best Man (left) is Professor Leander Komakech.

Mr James Labalpinyi Apinyi (1936-1971) RIP

This site is dedicated to the memory of our Father, the late James Apinyi wod Dire Manaci Lacona pa iburahim Awic.

Like hundreds of thousands of Acholi, Apinyi was murdered by Idi Amin's death squad.