Arua City Pays Glowing Tribute to Fallen Lugbara Kari Minister Suzan Ezatia, Hailing Her Legacy of Justice, Women’s Empowerment and Girls’ Education
ARUA CITY : Leaders in Arua City have paid heartfelt tribute to the late Lugbara Kari Minister, Suzan Ezatia, describing her as a courageous advocate for justice, women’s empowerment and girls’ education whose lifelong service transformed countless lives across the region.
Ezatia passed away on Wednesday after reportedly collapsing in the bathroom of her home. She was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Family members revealed that she had been battling hypertension.
Throughout her public life, Ezatia earned widespread admiration for championing equal rights in customary land ownership, particularly advocating for the inclusion of girls and persons with disabilities in family inheritance. She was also a tireless campaigner against early marriages, a strong promoter of girls’ education and a passionate defender of women’s social and economic empowerment.
At the time of her passing, she was serving as the Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development in the Lugbara Kari Government and was one of the institution’s treasury signatories. Before assuming the gender portfolio, she had served as the Minister for Education and Sports, where she played an instrumental role in advancing education and youth development.
During a special sitting of the Arua City Council held on Friday in her honour, the Speaker of Arua City Council, Rt. Hon. Yako Teddy Gloria, described Ezatia as an exceptional leader whose vision extended beyond policy into transforming families and communities.
The Speaker recalled Ezatia’s unwavering campaign for equitable land distribution, emphasizing that girls and persons with disabilities deserve equal consideration whenever family land is shared among children.
She noted that Ezatia consistently encouraged families to ensure every child, regardless of gender or disability, accessed education, adding that she had envisioned community initiatives that would monitor households to ensure no child was left behind.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Canon John Ondoma remembered Ezatia as a humble, hardworking and God-fearing woman whose life was dedicated to empowering others.
He described her as a source of inspiration whose guiding principle was that every individual should embrace hard work and self-reliance. According to Ondoma, Ezatia believed strongly in the philosophy of “food for work and work for food,” encouraging people to earn their livelihoods through diligence and commitment.
He further revealed that beyond public service, Ezatia was an accomplished entrepreneur who generously shared her knowledge with others. At her home, she trained numerous young women in knitting and other practical skills, helping many acquire income-generating abilities and become self-reliant.
Also paying tribute, Rev. Dr. Christopher Yiki Agatre, Speaker of the Lugbara Kari Parliament (Langa), described Ezatia as one of the institution’s most dedicated leaders whose commitment to preserving Lugbara culture was matched by her progressive and inclusive leadership.
He noted that throughout her service in both the education and gender ministries, she consistently stood for fairness, justice and the welfare of the people. He said she was widely respected for always choosing what was right, even when faced with difficult decisions.
Rev. Dr. Agatre further emphasized that Ezatia remained deeply committed to strengthening the Lugbara Kari institution and preserving the cultural heritage of the Lugbara people for future generations.
Hon. Doreen Onyiru, the councillor representing Adumi and Ayivuni Wards in Arua City Council, described the late minister as a mentor who inspired many emerging women leaders.
She said Ezatia encouraged young leaders to remain resilient in the face of challenges, teaching them to transform obstacles into opportunities for growth and service. According to Onyiru, her mentorship gave many women the confidence to pursue leadership and become agents of positive change within their communities.
Leaders unanimously agreed that Ezatia’s legacy will continue to live on through the lives she touched, the women she empowered, the girls she inspired to pursue education and the principles of justice and equality she tirelessly championed throughout her lifetime.
Suzan Ezatia died at the age of 74. She is survived by five children and was laid to rest on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at her marital home in Ayivu Division, Arua City.
Her passing marks the loss of a respected community leader whose unwavering commitment to justice, education, women’s empowerment and cultural preservation leaves an enduring legacy for the people of Arua and the wider West Nile region.