A man who mysteriously disappeared from his home in 1957 while aged 45 years has finally resurfaced 66 years later. Ugandan-born Patrice Okubal from the Iteso community was reunited with his family on Tuesday after returning to his ancestral home of Guyaguya Village in Soroti District which was formerly known as Katakwi.
Okubal who is now 111 years old made his dramatic return to his ancestral village in the company of his clan members from Bukwo District and was cordially received with a two-day celebration that saw the family slaughter a cow, goat and hold thanksgiving prayers.
Having sired five children at the time of his disappearance, Okubal was welcomed by only two of his remaining children, Pascal Awojat, 66 and Ms Rupina Amongin, 70, together with 139 grandchildren.Okubal is believed to have left his home after reportedly losing his fortune to a gambling game, known among the Iteso as Epiki where he gradually staked his family wealth to the extent of including his wife.
Awojat who is the last-born son of Okubal explained that after his father lost the bet, fellow gamblers approached his Ibokora Atekok Clan members seeking to be given his late mother Berite Olinga as their due.
