PARLIAMENT | SPEAKER | OULANYAH

KAMPALA - MPs have expressed concern over the continued absence of the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, demanding an explanation on his whereabouts.

Oulanyah, who was elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament on May 24, last chaired the House in June, during the state of the nation address and budget speech.

He has since not chaired the House again.

However, raising the matter as an issue of national importance during Thursday’s plenary session, Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu said Oulanyah’s continued absence from the House worries the MPs and country at large.

“We want to know the fate of the head of this institution, even if he is down, we must know. When Kadaga was sick, the House was informed, but no one is coming out to give the public any answer. Is he being held incommunicado?” Ssewungu said.

He said as MPs, they have registered concerns from members of the public who have been asking them about Oulanyah.

Ssewungu said: “Even the Acholi are worried. You are not telling them the whereabouts of their son. Their son is quiet, we cannot keep them in the dark without knowing his fate.”

Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak County MP, also indicted to the House that Oulanyah’s absence had left many people in northern Uganda, wondering what exactly is wrong with him.

“In the villages people are asking where the Speaker of Parliament is. We have failed to tell them of his whereabouts,” Olanya said.

Responding to the MPs’ concerns, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who has been chairing the House since mid-June, did not comment on Oulanyah’s health status or why he has been away from the House.

She told the MPs not to worry about Oulanyah’s absence, saying there is no vacuum in the office of the Speaker.

“Just to allay your fears, there is a speaker in this House and the speaker is here, there is no vacuum,” Among said.

After missing key House sessions such as approval of the vice-president and the prime minister, Ugandans took to social media alleging that Oulanyah is critically ill.

However, in an exclusive interview with New Vision on June 28, Oulanyah dismissed reports that he is ill, saying he is well and resting.

Oulanyah said he was taking a break after a gruelling campaign period that took a toll on him.

 “I am okay and resting. Nobody should get worried. I just took a break. The long campaigns took a toll on my body, so I decided to take a break,” he said.

Oulanyah, however, did not reveal where he was resting but said he was not in London as reported by the media.

He told New Vision that his break was discussed and agreed upon with the Deputy Speaker.