By Website Writer; It is a deep sorrowful moment for Uganda as a country following the demise of the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda, Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, 56.
The down-hearting news were first made public by President Y.K Museveni via his Twitter handle on Sunday afternoon.
According to President Museveni, Hon. Oulanyah passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 10:30AM in Seattle, Washington USA where he has been receiving treatment for the last two months.
“Countrymen and Countrywomen. It is with a lot of sadness that I announce the death of the Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the Speaker of Parliament. I got information of this sad news at 10.30am, East African time from People that have been with him and the doctor that was caring for him in the intensive care unit,” President Museveni said.
Now former Omoro County legislator was flown to USA in February 2022 after his health declined beyond control by medics in Uganda.
The budget for his entire treatment package rose eye-brows among members of parliament with many claiming that the cost was overwhelming.
Weeks later, Oulanyah was reported dead twice though government often intervened, refuting the rumors.
The most recent rumors claiming his passing-on on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 was such serious that it saw the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Annet Anita Among and some other government officials fly to USA to visit him.
The deceased had been unwell for some time and had been to several hospitals.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi on Sunday said the Speaker was first hospitalized at Mulago hospital and later at Nakasero Hospital before he was flown to the US. Earlier, he had been to Dubai where he underwent a surgical operation.
“He has been sick and the doctors and health workers have been attending to him but as to the cause of death, I think we shall wait for a postmortem report from the doctors who have been attending to him,” he said.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Anita Among, could barely contain her emotions following the demise of her boss while addressing media at Parliament on Sunday.
In her tribute, Ms. Among said everything was done to save his life but all was in vain.
“We did everything humanly possible to ensure that our brother gets the best treatment in this country, but, God’s timing is never our timing,” Ms. Among said.
At the time of his death, Hon. Oulanyah has chaired only three Parliamentary sessions.
It was on May 24, 2021 that Oulanyah under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket overthrew his boss Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga for the Speaker of Parliament seat.
On that day, Kadaga lost 310 votes against 197 in a House of 529 members.
Oulanya’s victory though was short-lived and health battles began soon after and he only presided over two sessions of Parliament before he took a sick leave.
Born real names Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah on 23th March 1965 was a Ugandan agricultural economist, lawyer and politician.
Countless condolence messages continue to pour in for the Late Jacob Oulanyah as majority hail him for his outstanding leadership character.
Rest in Peace Rt Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah!
