As it happened: Late Speaker Oulanyah emotional homecoming in Omoro

STATE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR JACOB OULANYAH

Presented by Joseph Kizza
(Scroll down for earlier updates)
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7:03 pm 

It's a wrap here!

As the cortege proceeds to Ajuri village, this text commentary ends here. We shall return for continued coverage of the late Speaker's funeral.

Jacob Oulanyah's body will lie at his home Wednesday night and on Thursday ahead of burial this Friday.
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7:02 pm 

Oulanyah has been described in glowing terms by various people, including the legislators he led, across the political divide in the House. Seeing the hundreds of people in Omoro accompanying the cortege - for such a long distance on foot - in Omoro district illustrates just how loved the man was.

It is not dark yet in the northern Uganda district, so expect less trips from the walking crowds.
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6:41 pm 

The late Jacob Oulanyah's village is called Ajuri in Lalogi sub-county. That is where all roads are leading to now as dusk closes in on Omoro district.
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6:26 pm 

It is a slow, crowded - but organised - procession from Lalogi Primary School en route to the home of the late Speaker of Parliament.

A band is leading the cortege, with hundreds of residents following along from the flanks, leaving clouds of dust in their wake. There is a heavy security personnel to keep the crowds at bay.
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6:17 pm 

Part of the formalities at the reception is the playing of the national and EAC anthems.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa then receives Oulanyah's body and now the casket is in the hearse, ready for a 7km drive to the late Speaker's home.
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6:08 pm 

It is an emotional homecoming, this. Not exactly the way everyone here would have wished to receive their own. Not in death. They would have preferred that Jacob Oulanyah returned home on his two feet. Alive.

Sadly, it is not to be.

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6:01 pm 

BREAKING NEWS

The body of the late Jacob Oulanyah has arrived home in Omoro district aboard a UPDF chopper.

The arrival is met with wails, dance and songs of praise from the people at Lalogi Primary School, the landing spot.
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5:56 pm 

An announcement has coming through - that the army chopper bringing Oulanyah home is expected to land shortly.
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5:53 pm 

There is still a fair amount of Wednesday daylight splashed over Omoro - and particularly at Lalogi Primary School, where security has been ramped up as the people patiently wait for the arrival of a son of the soil.

Omoro district Woman MP Catherine Lamwaka is among the dignitaries present.
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5:51 pm 

It is almost an hour since the chopper carrying the body of the late Jacob Oulanyah departed from Kampala. We understand the aircraft is about to reach Omoro district.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, will receive the body. He has already touched down at Lalogi Primary School aboard a Uganda Police Force helicopter (5X-MAH).
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4:56 pm 

TAKEOFF!

The late Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, is en route home.

At the destination, eager residents and dignitaries are readying themselves to receive the son of their soil. Another hearse is ready at the Lalogi Primary School grounds, where the helicopter will land.
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4:53 pm 

The engine has roared to life and the blades of the huge metallic bird sitting on the Kyambogo turf are spinning now. Ready for liftoff!
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4:46 pm 

The flight by helicopter from Kampala to Omoro is a 250km journey. We understand that this UPDF M17 (AF-639) chopper's top speed is 250km/hr.
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4:41 pm 

The white hearse carrying the body of Oulanyah has arrived at Kyambogo University. The huge army-green chopper is set on the green turf.
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4:28 pm 

The cortege is now making its way to Kyambogo University, where an AF-639 helicopter is waiting to airlift Oulanyah's body home in Omoro district, the final leg of this emotional journey.
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4:13 pm 

And that marks the end of the state funeral service for the late Jacob Oulanyah.

The late Speaker's body will be marched off Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for airlifting to Omoro district. The President will then leave at his leisure, followed by guests in reverse order of their arrival.
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4:09 pm 

The army-green chopper is ready at Kyambogo. The aircraft will land at Lalogi Primary School, where residents are waiting anxiously for that arrival.

It is now anthems - in reverse order - at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to mark the end of the state function here. It has been a relentlessly hot Wednesday.
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4:05 pm 

To wrap up today's state funeral service is the recessional hymn:♫ Blessed Assurance ♫

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
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3:49 pm 

We are told that the Members of Parliament have been allowed by the family to view the body of their late leader at Kololo before he is airlifted to Omoro district, where hundreds of people are waiting for the emotional homecoming of the late Speaker of Parliament.

The helicopter that will fly Oulanyah's body to the north is set at Kyambogo.
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3:43 pm 

Reflecting on the outpouring of messages from Ugandans after the death of Oulanyah, Museveni says it is that oneness that Uganda needs as a move way from a past of tribalism and sectarianiasm.

"Ugandans are looking for value in people - not just manipulating identity."
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3:39 pm 

The archbishop talked about humans being only in transit on earth. Museveni touches on this in the context of corruption.

"We are in transit, but we must develop our country, we must develop our families. The country we are building is not just for us - it is for our children. So when we are building our economy without stealing, we are building for our children" - whether for one's biological children or social ones.

"We work so that our children do not live in a backward Uganda."
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3:37 pm 

Museveni applauds Archbishop Kaziimba for speaking out on corruption in his sermon earlier.
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3:34 pm 

President Museveni promises that Government will contribute to the Jacob Oulanyah Education Fund - set up to support his children as well as the other young beneficiaries of his generosity.

He goes on to thank the Chief Justice for the initiative.
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3:28 pm 

'Don't play with your health'

"Health is a weapon. Your health is very critical. Don't risk it," urges Museveni, who says he first learnt of Oulanyah's health complications when he [Oulanyah] flew to Dubai.

"If I had known, I would have told him to concentrate on his health," adds the President in reference to the many political responsibilities that the then-Speaker and NRM northern region chairperson had to juggle with his health woes.

"Health is wealth. Health is a weapon. And you need to look after it very well. Don't play with it."
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3:23 pm 

The President takes a direct swipe at people he calls "opportunists".

"Oulanyah was not Speaker of the north. He was Speaker of Uganda.

"NRM supported him not because he was this group, that group, but because he was a good cadre. Because of his patriotism and his pan-Africanism," says Museveni.
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3:17 pm 

Museveni then goes on to cite the Book of Matthew, particularly the verse on talents to apply more description to the man of talents, including being a good orator, that was Jacob Oulanyah.

The President says the Speaker's death is a big loss for the country, especially having exhibited his talent of uniting people.
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3:15 pm 

In describing Jacob Oulanyah, President Museveni makes reference to Luke 10:25–37, which he reads out from his Bible:

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had mcompassion. 

So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

On the next day, 1when he departed, he took out two ndenarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

After reading the bliblical extract, the President, in reference to Oualanyah, says: "When you solve people's problems, you become the good neighbour."
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2:57 pm 

President Yoweri Museveni begins addressing mourners.

He is keen to sending out his condolences, before thanking "our brother countries" for sending delegations to today's funeral.
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2:54 pm 

"As Members of Parliament who loved Jacob", we agreed to contribute sh554m to the Jacob Oulanyah Education Fund.

She also reveals that as Parliament, they agreed to hold a memorial in honour of the late Speaker every March 23 (the birth date of Oulanyah).
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2:50 pm 

Speaker Among says Jacob Oulanyah "respected humanity, he espoused the principle of ubuntu. He wanted everyone to be respected. He never wanted anyone to be treated unfairly".

"He has left an outstanding legacy - he was a very unmatched time-keeper."
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2:47 pm 

After today's function at Kololo, Jacob Oulanyah's body will be flown - by helicopter - to his home district Omoro in preparation for Friday's burial.

Meanwhile, New Vision's Joseph Omagor reports that the house Oulanyah died before completing is being touched up host his body for two nights - Wednesday and Thursday.

A room in the house will also host Thursday's emergency full council meeting that has been organised by the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and West Nile.

The local organising committee chairperson Douglas Peter Okao Okello says President Yoweri Museveni has committed to complete the facility after Oulanyah's burial.

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2:42 pm 

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, is addressing the mourners at Kololo.
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2:37 pm 

Babalanda says that Oulanyah was straightforward in everything he did, and was firm on what he stood for. Her call to everyone is to "reflect on the values that he stood for".
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2:34 pm 

In life, Jacob Oulanyah united Ugandans and now in death, "he has united us the more", says Minister Babalanda.

She adds that the late Speaker's integrity and honesty made him admirable.
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2:27 pm 

Delegations from Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Rwanda, DR Congo, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and Burundi are attending today's state funeral, says the Minister of the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda.

She further recognizes the members of the diplomatic corp also present.
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2:21 pm 

"In the Acholi culture, he who has children does not die. So yes, Jacob may be dead, but he is not dead," says the Chief Justice.

And it is for this reason that they started a Jacob Oulanyah Education Fund.

"Our vow (...) is that his children will continue with their education where they are now - to the highest levels of their achievement - because Jacob invested in friendship, in people, and so we shall pay back through his children," says Owiny-Dollo.
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2:13 pm 

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo says that "if my brother had been more open" about his health complication, "maybe - just maybe- we would not be here today".

He says it is natural for people to get sick, and urges that in such a case the right thing for one to do is to submit oneself to the people who can handle the complication.
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2:08 pm 

The health minister, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, reads the summary of the death report issued by the hospital where Jacob Oulanyah breathed his last.

In summary, the immediate cause of death was multiple organ failure (heart, lung, liver and kidneys).
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1:53 pm 

Dr. Jackson Orem says that in mid-2020, after a series of treatment cycles, they failed to trace the cancerous mass (lymphoma), which offered hope that Oulanyah was in remission stage.

But things turned to the worse about six months later. The mass had regrouped and returned stronger.
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1:45 pm 

Dr. Jackson Orem's account is consistent with that which the health minister presented to Parliament - only from a personal experiential point of view.

He says the coronavirus pandemic lockdown prevented Oulanyah from returning to Germany for extended treatment.
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1:43 pm 

Meanwhile, here at Kololo, Aceng asks that Dr. Jackson Orem gives the story "in his own language before I conclude".
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1:40 pm 

Here is how I captured the minister's remarks from Parliament: 👇🏽

Health minister and Lira City MP Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng is called forward to provide a report on the death of Jacob Oulanyah, whose ill health, it is revealed started in 2019.

"He discovered a swelling in the neck - a relatively big one," says Aceng. "He then sough medical attention in Germany, where the swelling was removed and analysed and he was told it was a cancer."

Oulanyah was started on treatment, which he got at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), before then visiting several other hospitals because of the same.

On Janaury 23, he was admitted to Mulago, where he was to stay for two weeks, in preparation for his travel abroad for gene therapy treatment. The health minister reveals that visitors were limited because Oulanyah's bone marrow was badly affected, which meant that interaction with many people would worsen the situation.

Aceng particularly recognises the role of played by Dr. Jackson Orem, a medical oncologist and executive director of UCI, "who attended to him [Oulanyah] from the time he discovered the lump".

On February 3, five people, including Oulanyah and Orem, flew to Seattle. The others included two hospital attendants and Oulanyah's security guard. While in hospital in the US, several investigations were repeated and details on all this were provided, according to the health minister.

On the death summary report, the immediate cause of death was multiple organ failure (heart, lung, liver and kidney failing).

Aceng reports that Oulanyah's liver started failing while he was still in Uganda and that fluid started filling in his lungs while still in the country. His heart and kidney failed in Seattle.

Oulanyah had multiple bacterial infections, discoverd in Uganda, and viral infection, discovered in Seattle. The treatment further suppressed his bone marrow.

Consequently, Oulanyah lived on blood and platelets every day.

He suffered progressive recurrent diffuse large B cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Chemotherapy had also greatly weakened his system.

There were contributory conditions. Oulanyah had lymphatic sustained depletion. He lost his spleen while he was at Makerere. 

He started having gastro-intestinal bleeding as well as multi-blood resistance pneumonia.
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1:36 pm 

Health minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng is invited to the front to deliver the official death report of the late Jacob Oulanyah.

She presented a summary of it during Tuesday's special sitting of Parliament, and promised to provide details during today's service.
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1:32 pm 

In her emotional eulogy, Oulanyah's eldest child recounts her final days with her dying father in a hospital in Seattle. The last words she told him just before his death on the night on March 19 (Pacific time) were about her thanking him for fighting for his life.

"My father was an exceptional man. All the stories and tributes have given me strength to stand tall".

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1:14 pm 

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah is leading the children of the late Jacob Oulanyah in eulogising their father.

They deliver their gratutide to all the people that supported their father, especially during his ill health, including President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady, the Chief Justice, and the NRM party for offering him a platform to further his political aspirations.


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1:10 pm 

Eulogies are next:

First up, family representative (accompanied by children).

The Minister in Charge of the Presidency will follow.

And finally, the President of Uganda.

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1:07 pm 

The Inter-religious Council of Uganda honours the late Jacob Oulanyah's "candidness and charisma" and thanks him for his role in supporting communities in Uganda.
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1:02 pm 

Archbishop delivers his blessing and thanks his fellow religious leaders for the work they are doing.

He pays tribute to the late Archbishop of Kampala, Dr. Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and honours His Eminence Metropolitan Leronymos Muzeeyi, who replaced Archbishop Yona Lwanga as the Archbishop of the Orthodox Church of Uganda.

Kaziimba then invites Apostle Dr. Joseph Sserwadda to deliver the condolence message for the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU).

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1:02 pm 

Let us pray:

Grant us Lord, the wisdom and the grace to use
aright the time that is left to us here on earth.
Lead us to repent of our sins, the evil we have done
and the good we have not done; and strengthen
us to follow the steps of your son, in the way that
leads to the fullness of eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.  Amen.

***********

Merciful father and lord of life we praise you that
all people are made in your image and reflect truth and light. We thank you for the life of your servant Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah and for the love and mercy
he or she received from you and showed among us.
Above all we rejoice at your gracious promise to
all your servants living and departed; that we shall
rise again at the coming of Christ. And we ask
that in due time we may share with our brother
Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah that clearer vision, when
we shall see your face in the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.
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12:59 pm 

Intercessory prayers next.
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12:53 pm 

The members of the National Prayer Breakfast Fellowship, which Jacob Oulanyah belonged to, has been called forward.

Led by Hon. David Bahati, the group sing the popular Amazing Grace hymn, which they say Oulanyah particularly loved to heart. The rest of the mourners join as the supporting cast.

This hymn was written in 1772 by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton.
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12:46 pm 

After the Apostle’s Creed, next is offertory time and the hymn is: ♫ When Peace like a River ♫

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
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12:39 pm 

Concluding his sermon, the archbishop asks mourners to pause for a moment of silent prayer and reflection, after which he breaks into song - ♫ Jim Reeves' This World is Not My Home: ♫ 

This world is not my home I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
Oh lord you know I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home then lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore
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12:32 pm 

Kaziimba says: "The devil makes us forget that we shall die. We don't die at once - but in bits. All of us are potential candidates of death. Citizens of Heaven must promote Heaven's interests on earth."

In the spirit of the late Jacob Oulanyah's push against corruption, the archbishop rallies everyone: "We should resist corruption. There is a need to care for one another. That's why there is a call for a national dialogue."

Let us set aside tribal differences, let us support each other, let us reconcile, he adds.
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12:27 pm 

"We are in transit. But we are called to utilise this transit very well (...) By respecting each other as human beings," preaches the archbishop, and calls out corrupt tendencies.

In this difficult period of mourning, Kaziimba urges us to seek God's strength: "We are troubled. But let us put everything to God."

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12:25 pm 

In his characteristically passionate delivery, Kaziimba preaches: "We are here, but for a short time. Our citizenship is in Heaven. Our home is in Heaven."

By saying so, he is trying to tell believers that while they are free to build houses and establishments while still alive, they must be cognisant of the fact that all those are temporary possessions and that human beings should not be corrupted by earthly possessions.

"We should remmber that we are in transit. We shall move to our final destination."

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12:18 pm 

'Richest place on earth'

Archbishop Kaziimba says he thinks about various departed people, including the late Prof. Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile (central bank governor), Philly Bongley Lutaaya, Michael Jackson and Jim Reeves - all musicians.

"The grave is the richest place on earth because it has taken many people down there," preaches the cleric.

"But there is hope amid hopelessness (...) There is life beyond death."

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12:14 pm 

The archbishop starts off by reflecting on the recent rise of the late Jacob Oulanyah to the helm of Parliament, only for his life to be cut short hardly a year into his five-year leadership.

But he swiftly underlines that while God is the cause of all existence, he has supreme authority over this every existence.

Kaziimba says Oulanyah was a supporter of God's mission. "He has been supporting churches - and not only the Anglican churches but others too - back home," he says.

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12:09 pm 

Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu begin his sermon.

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12:06 pm 

♫ Hymn: My Hope is Built on Nothing Less ♫

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name

On Christ the solid rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand
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12:04 pm 

 Oulanyah's son, Harold Jonathan Adiyo, takes the second reading: John 5:24-29 

“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graveswill hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
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12:01 pm 

Energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa takes the first reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 / 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building
from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly.
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11:56 am 

 Among those attending the state funeral service is Vision Group's chief executive, Don Wanyama.

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11:51 am 

 It is now time for laying of a few representative wreaths:

Family representative
- Head of the diplomatic corp
- The Speaker of Kenya's Parliament (representing visiting delegations)
- The Chief Justice
- The Speaker of Parliament
- The President of Uganda

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11:47 am 

 After the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer by everyone, the minster prays:

Minster: O heavenly Father, who in your Son Jesus Christ, has given us a true faith, and a sure hope: Help us, we pray, to live as those who believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting, and strengthen this faith and hope in us all the days of our life: through the love of your Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Followed by a chorused AMEN!

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11:46 am 

Continuation of prayer from Psalm 23, part of which reads:

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.

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11:45 am 

 A moment of prayer:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; (John 11:25, 26 NIV)

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand up at the last upon the
earth: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25-27

We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.
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11:40 am 

 ♫ The processional hymn is Abide With Me: ♫

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
. . . . .
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11:36 am 

The service, led by Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, gets under way.
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11:31 am 

Anthems next. First, it is the Uganda national anthem, followed by the East African Community anthem.
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11:28 am 

President Yoweri Museveni, the chief mourner, has arrived at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for the state funeral service for the late Jacob Oulanyah.

The President is accompanied by the First Lady and education minister, Janet Museveni.

They are welcomed by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, and the Chief Justice.

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11:26 am 

'Passionate and dedicated' 💬

Several people have described the late Speaker using different words: forward-thinking, humble, meek, non-vindictive, humorous, calm, generous, Godfearing, incorruptible, accomplished, pragmatic, courageous, development, clear-minded, etc.

Elly Karuhanga, the board chairman of the Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) says Oulanyah was a dedicated professional.

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11:19 am 

📸  Pictures from Kololo Ceremonial Grounds

Uganda's economy may be fully open, but the coronavirus pandemic exists. This means the basic standard operating procedures (SOPs), including the wearing of masks, must continue to be observed, especially for such a public gathering - despite it being scaled down in the numerical context for the same reasons.

New Vision's Miriam Namutebi's camera is busy at Kololo. Can you recognise the faces behind the masks?

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10:55 am 

The Vice-President of Uganda, Jessica Alupo, has arrived t Kololo for the state funeral service.

Alupo, 47, who has previously served as education & sports minister, also represented Katakwi district in Parliament as Woman MP. She entered the House in 2001, the same year Oulanyah made his parliamentary debut.

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10:43 am 

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has arrived at Kololo. She was Oulanyah's deputy during their shortlived partnership at the helm of parliamentary leadership.
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10:41 am 

According to the programme, President Yoweri Museveni is to arrive at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds at 11am. That is just under 20 minutes from now.
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10:28 am 

Who was Jacob Oulanyah?

Jacob Oulanyah was instrumental in the peace talks between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda that led to the silencing of guns in northern Uganda.

In 2001, with the support of his wife, Dorothy, he initiated the establishment of the Uganda Parliament Forum for Children (UPFC) with nine members. The forum has now become a household name. He served as the patron of the UPFC from inception till the time of his demise.

On July 13, 2019, Oulanyah was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Theology by Zoe Life Theological College USA, earning him the title Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.

He served as a board member of The Global Majority, an international organization committed to the promotion of non-violent conflict management through education, training, networking and advocacy.  He was also the Co-Rapporteur on the Committee of Political Affairs in the African Caribbean and Pacific/European Union groups of states (ACP/EU).

Oulanyah was re-elected to represent Omoro County, Omoro District, in the 11th Parliament as MP. On May 24, 2021, he was elected as the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. His mission was to restore public confidence in the institution of Parliament and make it people-centred.

On March 19, 2022, Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah went to be with the
Lord. (This was March 20 Ugandan time.)

Jacob is survived by eight (8) children, three (3) grandchildren and several dependants. In addition, he is survived by his father Mzee Nathan Okori, brother Francis Emuna, and sisters Harriet Adong Okori and Betty Ajok Okori and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
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10:28 am 

Who was Jacob Oulanyah?

Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah was born on March 23, 1965 in Lalogi, Gulu district to Mzee Nathan Okori and Imat Karen Atwon Okori. 

He attended St. Joseph’s College Layibi and Dr. Obote College Boroboro for his O-Level education, where he took on leadership roles and honed his debating and oratory skills. He completed his A-Level education at Kololo Senior Secondary School in Kampala in 1987. Thereafter, he joined Makerere University in 1988, where he studied Agricultural Economics, and graduated in 1991 with honours.

That same year, he enrolled in the School of Law at Makerere University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC), where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice. Upon his graduation from LDC, he was retained as a lecturer at the centre for two years.

While at Makerere University, Jacob got actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as Guild Speaker between 1989 and 1990. Together with colleagues Norbert Mao and Charles Owor, they started Oulanyah, Owor and Mao Company Advocates, a private law firm in Kampala in 1995.

In 1996, Oulanyah married the love of his youth, Dorothy Nang’wale, an ardent child rights activist. She is believed to have been the force behind his stellar political career. Dorothy passed on in August 2009.

Oulanyah successfully contested for political office and joined the 7th Parliament as Member of Parliament (MP) for Omoro County, Gulu District in 2001. He was appointed to chair Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Aff airs Committee in his inaugural term as MP.

He, however, lost the bid for re-election into the 8th Parliament in 2006 and
bounced back in the 9th (2011-2016) and 10th (2016-2021) Parliaments, where he served as MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of
Uganda.
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10:26 am 

But who really was this man we are celebrating today? His profile shortly . . .
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10:17 am 

The Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, has arrived at Kololo. He was a close friend of the late Jacob Oulanyah and was among the few last people to see him alive in Seattle.

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10:14 am 

The Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Felix Kulayigye, once represented the army in Parliament. He says the Jacob Oulanyah "was not only big in size and big in name, but also big in charater".

"We thank God that He gave him to us at the time He did. We have lost a formidable man that indeed had a vision for the 11th Parliament."
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10:09 am 

Religious leaders are present for the funeral service.

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9:53 am 

The Bwola dancers have hit the pause button and have not sat around the tent set up over the casket of the late Speaker.

They will definitely feel the scorch - it is a good 24 °C in Kampala, with humidity recorded at 76% and winds travelling at 11km/hr.
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9:47 am 

Already, many of the few invited mourners have settled in while others continue to make their way through.

His Grace Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, the Archbishop of Church of Uganda, will lead the state funeral service.

The Bwola dancers - the men wearing a distinctive, symbolic mop of ostrich feathers - continue with their dramatic cultural performances, providing an air of celebration for a man who has been described in glowing terms by many across the nation and beyond.

It is a gloriously warm mid-week morning in Uganda's capital. Today will be the last for Oulanyah in Kampala on his way to his final resting place home in Omoro district later after today's state funeral service.
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9:29 am 

BREAKING NEWS

The hearse carrying the body of the late Jacob Oulanyah has arrived at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, welcomed by the effervescent Bwola dancers.

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9:18 am 

Meanwhile, it was praise and worship through Tuesday night at the vigil for the former Speaker, which saw legislators, Parliament staff and Oulanyah's family gather to celebrate his life.

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9:12 am 

On Tuesday, legislators and top Government officials convened at Parliament for a special sitting to pay tribute to a man who led them for only less than one year as Speaker of the 11th Parliament.

Oulanyah's family was represented too. Take a look at happened HERE.

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9:06 am 

MPs say goodbye to their fomer leader, Jacob Oulanyah, who will never return to Plot 16-18, Parliament Avenue.

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9:05 am 

The casket has been moved from the Parliament reception area, where it lay in state overnight, and has been gently placed in the hearse - a white one this time - in a brief ceremony honoured by members of the Uganda Police Force.

The cortege is now en route to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds ahead of the state funeral service, where President Yoweri Museveni will be the chief mourner.

Members of the Uganda Bikers Association, which Oulanyah was a part of as an avid biker himself, are leading the procession.
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9:00 am 

Good morning

The route from Parliament to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Uganda's capital Kampala is a short route - and one which the white hearse carrying the body of the late Speaker of Parliament, Jacob L'Okori Oulanyah, will use only moments from now.

At Kololo, a state funeral will be conducted for the fallen leader of Uganda's legislature, who died 17 days ago in the US city of Seattle, where he had been admitted for specialized treatment. Oulanyah, like we learnt on Tuesday during a special parliamentary sitting to pay tribute to him, succumbed to multiple organ failure, having battled cancer.

Welcome to this live text commentary of today's part of the week-long state funeral programme for the late Speaker ahead of his interment this Friday in Lalogi village in Omoro district.

For now, preparations are complete at Parliament for the departure to Kololo.