[1] In 1851, Debono began to serve the Egyptian Governor of Sudan and adopted the name of Latif Effendi.

He reached the Djiamoudj rapids in April 1853, acquiring knowledge of Lake Albert and the Semliki River.

He made a 300-mile-long (480 km) journey to the mouth of the Sobat in 1854–1855 together with his wife, his son and later his agent Philippe Terranuova.

[1] He was accompanied by the Italian explorer Giovanni Miani[3] Samuel Baker wrote, "de Bono's people are the worst of the lot, having utterly destroyed the country.

His health declined after he lost his nephew, and he subsequently sold his property and moved back to Cairo.