Fundraising for Repatriation and Funeral Expenses

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved brother, son, and friend Mr. Odoch Robert Gunda (affectionately known as Robert) who passed away on 8/23/25 in San Diego, CA following a long battle with mental illness. Odoch was born on June 21, 1981, in Pajule, Pader District, Northern Uganda. His early years were marked by the turmoil of the civil war in Northern Uganda, during which he experienced unimaginable hardship. Mr. Gunda endured abduction and release three separate times at the hands of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), and as a result, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In January 2007, Mr. Gunda was resettled as a refugee in San Diego, California, seeking safety and a chance for recovery. Unfortunately, beginning in late 2007, he was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, a severe mental health condition. This illness deeply impacted his life, manifesting in persistent auditory and visual hallucinations, paranoid delusions, and a lack of motivation (avolition). On many occasions, the symptoms rendered him gravely disabled, and he struggled to find stability. Despite his poor mental health, Odoch was a brother, a son, and a friend. The star to his family and the entire community. To friends, Odoch was the kind of person who would call and check on you. He would come to you with the newest book he had read to tell you all about it. To his younger siblings, he was Robert, a big brother who taught them important life lessons. After the initial diagnosis with mental health in 2007, Odoch spent most of his life inpatient psychiatric and locked facilities under the doctor's supervision. After following his treatment plan according to his doctor’s orders, Odoch’s health improved significantly, and his conservatorship was terminated. Odoch returned home to his family, where he stayed for 10 years without major issues. He took his medication regularly and was a great big brother and son. Unfortunately, mental health is very unpredictable, and for him, his symptoms returned with great severity which pushed him away from his family again. Even with persistent help from his family, the symptoms were relentless. Regrettably they pushed him to reject his medication, treatment, and eventually into homelessness where tragically he passed away at the age of 44.

The family is seeking support to raise funds to help facilitate the transportation of his body back to his country of birth in Uganda for his final resting place and make his wishes come true, and to cover funeral and burial expenses.

Your support and generosity will ensure that he can be laid to rest with dignity among his family and community.