By James Innocent
The people of Yei River County on Thursday gathered in their thousands to pay their final respects to Michael Lugala Nicholas, a longtime serving medical worker and former county medical director, who passed away at the age of 66 after a prolonged illness.
More than 5,000 mourners, including family, friends, government officials, religious leaders, and humanitarian partners, attended the funeral in Yei to honor a man widely remembered for his decades of service in the health sector.
Born on 28 February 1961, Lugala dedicated much of his life to providing medical care in Yei and surrounding areas.
According to his son, Sebastian Saba recalled his father’s early religious upbringing said that his father received baptism and First Holy Communion in the 1960s through the guidance of his parents.
“My father received baptism and First Holy Communion in the 1960s through the guidance of his parents. In the 1970s, he made his First Holy Communion under Father Tartiyo Ladu and was later confirmed by Monsignor Lino” he said.
Saba, added that his father’s legacy should be celebrated rather than mourned:
“He worked for long years in government service, so today we are not just mourning but celebrating his life and contribution.” he said.
In his history, Lugala began schooling in 1967 at Kunuwa in Congo, completing six years before moving to Kit Secondary School in Juba in the 1970s.
His education was disrupted by the outbreak of war but he later resumed and repeated classes while living independently.
In 1977, he joined the German Medical Team (GMT) in Juba and worked as a Community Health Worker in Keniko, Mukaya Payam, serving villages and forestry communities for nearly two decades.
In 1992, he became Primary Health Care In-Charge at Mundri Rural Hospital under Action Africa Help (AAH).
Lugala’s Colleagues described him as a compassionate, dedicated professional whose service earned him respect across the medical community.
In his later years, Lugala sought treatment in Arua, where doctors diagnosed him with liver complications.
Despite ongoing medical care, his condition worsened, and he eventually succumbed surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues.
During the funeral, Father Joseph Arike Eugenio, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Yei, urged the family and mourners to find comfort in faith.
“Life has both joy and sorrow. We must accept God’s will with peace and forgiveness in our hearts” Arike said.
The chairperson of the organizing committee praised the collective effort of communities, government officials, and partners in honouring the late health worker, saying their contributions reflected the impact Lugala had made in public service.
Representing the health department, Dr. Joseph Khemis of Yei Civil Hospital emphasized the loss felt by the medical fraternity:
“We stood together as health workers to mourn our director. He served with dedication until his last days.”
Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme extended condolences on behalf of the county leadership, describing Lugala as a man of service and commitment.
He urged the family to remain united, cautioning against disputes over inheritance.
“Material things can never replace human life,” the commissioner said, while acknowledging the county’s limited ability to provide financial support due to current economic hardship.
Michael Lugala Nicholas is remembered as a devout Christian, a community health pioneer, and a dedicated public servant. His life’s work touched thousands in Yei and beyond, leaving a lasting mark on both the medical profession and his community.