Mzee A.Lwanymoi Oloya, passed away on Monday, January 24, 2011 in 
Gulu Hospita
l. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday on January 21 at Pamin-Yai. He was a Selfstarter!
Apart from teaching Alipayo was a well known Agriculturist, avid farmer and use a lot of modern agricultural technology in Acholi land! He instilled in all his children sense of purpose and most of the children excel well broad and at home! Some of us who were constant visitor to his home learn a lot from Mwalimu Alipayo! I grew up and studied with his children like Okota, Naros (Ogaba,/Dwoka/Oruni the younger girls Acomo, Betty, and Sara are those I could still remembered ) and many young one and older one who eventually left to study abroad)!
Gulu Hospita
l. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday on January 21 at Pamin-Yai. He was a Selfstarter! Apart from teaching Alipayo was a well known Agriculturist, avid farmer and use a lot of modern agricultural technology in Acholi land! He instilled in all his children sense of purpose and most of the children excel well broad and at home! Some of us who were constant visitor to his home learn a lot from Mwalimu Alipayo! I grew up and studied with his children like Okota, Naros (Ogaba,/Dwoka/Oruni the younger girls Acomo, Betty, and Sara are those I could still remembered ) and many young one and older one who eventually left to study abroad)!
He was born on January 21, 1921 in Ajumani in Madi District, where his father was posted as a Police officer, his mother a humble homemaker. Money was very tight, and with his father constantly on the move, young Alipayo was soon left behind, wasting away in Bobi village. There he would have remained were it not for a chance conversation between Bishop Usher Wilson of the Upper Nile Diocese and a parishioner. The good bishop wanted a reliable houseboy to help keep his compound clean.
The parishioner could only think of young Alipayo who proved to be a quick learner. Alipayo moved from cleaning the compound t
o becoming the bishop’s cook, all the while stealing time to read books that he found on the prelate’s shelves. Bishop Usher Wilson discovered that his cook was a keen learner, and enrolled him in school. Through his primary and secondary education, young Alipayo worked hard. He finally earned his way to Buwalasi Theological College where he earned a teaching certificate.
In 1942, Alipayo started teaching primary school in Ngai, near Lira in then Lango District. Restless, and perhaps a bit of an independent soul, he was moved to Boro-boro for a year. Between 1944 and 1945, he taught in Aboke and then returned to Bobi, near his village. In July 1945, he married my First Mother Alici Nora, and was moved to Kitgum where he became a headmaster and remained until 1951. He was briefly a supervising teacher in Acholi in 1951. His final stint in education was as headmaster of Gulu Primary school.
He retired in January 1955, moving to Pamin-Yai, a wilderness west of Gulu that took its name from a large rock that defiantly jutted out of the ground. Farming was back-breaking work, but Alipayo threw himself into it, becoming one of the progressive farmers of his days who used modern farming implements.
He and his family live in Pamin-Yai. As a farmer he and his children worked the cotton field from morning till midnight. He grew tobacco as cash crop and tobacco required so much care from the moment of planting till it was cured in a hot barn and this requires dedicated helpers. This is where all the children learned the rope!!
He and his family live in Pamin-Yai. As a farmer he and his children worked the cotton field from morning till midnight. He grew tobacco as cash crop and tobacco required so much care from the moment of planting till it was cured in a hot barn and this requires dedicated helpers. This is where all the children learned the rope!! Through it all, Alipayo Oloya was the perennial optimist, believing always that hard work always pays
. He was also involved in municipal and district affairs, working with the Gulu District Land Board, and also as Chair of Uganda Diary Corporation. Politics seemed a big passion, but he was never quite successful at it. He did run for elective office, I think in 1970, and was defeated. Still, he read voraciously about everything, the latest journals of agriculture, learning new techniques in farming. All the while, he pushed his children to succeed in school. It was never quite good enough to return home with th
e report card that lacked the top score.
. He was also involved in municipal and district affairs, working with the Gulu District Land Board, and also as Chair of Uganda Diary Corporation. Politics seemed a big passion, but he was never quite successful at it. He did run for elective office, I think in 1970, and was defeated. Still, he read voraciously about everything, the latest journals of agriculture, learning new techniques in farming. All the while, he pushed his children to succeed in school. It was never quite good enough to return home with th
e report card that lacked the top score.He did love all his many grandchildren. Teaching education and farming was Mzee Alipayo’s enduring passion. Among his peers and children he was affectionately, known as “Lapwony”, or “Mwalimu” in Kiswahili, -the teacher.
Mzee Alipayo is survived by 5 wives—Alice, Awilo, Esther, Akot and Judith, 29 children, 55 grandchildren and 10 great-grand children. He was loved and he loved all. He was a good man, a great teacher, and loving father. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, February 5, in Pamin-Yai, enough time for all his family and loved ones to gather.
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