PARLIAMENT | OULANYA | DEATH

Monday (March 20, 2023), marked exactly one year since former Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah died in a Seattle hospital in the US, where he had been rushed for specialized treatment.

The fun-loving biker succumbed to cancer just two days shy of his 57th birthday.

Referred to as 'the Lion of Omoro, he died after hardly a year in the office of the Speaker after he defeated his former boss, Rebecca Kadaga, who is now First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of East African Community Affairs.

Thomas Tayebwa Deputy Speaker of Parliament addressing mourners during the memorial service at All Saints Nakasero on Monday 20th March 2023.

At the memorial service held at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero, in Kampala on Monday, as one of the commemorative activities to mark one year since his death, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa recalled how some people cautioned him against inheriting Oulanyah’s staff and office or he would risk death.

“They insinuated that I took things for granted and that I was going to be killed. "It demonstrated the high level of mistrust we have in the country towards each other,” he said.

He added: “Since I took on his staff, we have never had a problem, we are doing fine. What matters is to treat them well. Even if they are your relatives, if you treat them badly, they will turn against you. So, we need to treat each other with respect, and I learned that from Jacob, and I am really glad.”

Atim Karen Oulanyah addressing mourners during the Memorial service of the late father Jacob Oulanyah at All Saints Nakasero on Monday 20th March 2023. right is Andrew Ojok Oulanyah the Omoro Member of Parliament

Tayebwa, among others, maintained Olanyuah’s driver, chief bodyguard, secretaries, office, and furniture.

 “Some people questioned: Are you a stupid man? I told them that this was not for Oulanyah, this is for the state, even me I'm coming and going through,” he said.

Tayebwa, who represented Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, disclosed that the rate at which Oulanyah made him suspect that he could have known or God was showing him what was coming.

Warns public

Tayebwa used the occasion to warn the public against creating a rift between Parliament and the Executive highlighting that the role of Parliament is to complement the Executive.

“You hear commentators about Parliament saying that Parliament is now in the pockets of President Yoweri Museveni. Please, the role of Parliament is not to fight or question the Executive, it’s to complement the Executive," he said.

Parliament is part of Oulanyah foundation

Among, her statement, indicated that Parliament became part of the Oulanyah Foundation when they raised over shillings 500 million towards the cause.

“As a country, the late Oulanyah stood tall like a colossus; he represented the current and future of our national leadership. Many of our leaders and young people looked up to him for inspiration, advice, and guidance on good leadership. The late Oulanyah believed in honesty and speaking frankly about national issues. Today, we have a Parliament in which those values are cherished and practiced by most of its members and staff. As Parliament of Uganda, we will continue to work towards accomplishing the agenda that Oulanyah set out to achieve during his term of office,” Among said.

Among was Oulanyah's deputy before she was elected to replace him as Speaker on March 25, last year and Tayebwa, who was the Government Chief Whip, was elected to replace her.

Children of the Late Jacob Oulanyah attending the Memorial Service of their late father Jacob Oulanyah at All Saints Nakasero on Monday 20th March 2023.

Tayebwa cautioned the residents of Omoro against judging Oulanyah's eldest son, Andrew Ojok, who stepped into his (Oulanyah's) large shoes as Omoro County MP based on fulfilling Oulanyah’s legacy projects.

This was shortly after Oulanyah’s young brother, Francis Omona, highlighted the several projects the deceased had in plan for the benefit of the people in his constituency and Northern Uganda since he was the National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice-chairperson in charge of Northern Uganda. The Government pledged to ensure that Oulanyah’s legacy projects are achieved.

Omona demanded Ojok update the gathering on the progress of the projects, prompting a response from the speaker and other attendees of the memorial service.

Ojok, who had earlier spoken in the company of his sister, Dorothy Atim, spoke of the need to serve humanity as his father did.

The assistant bishop of Kampala Diocese, Hannington Mutebi, who presided over the service, described the late Oulanyah as a quiet and committed Christian.

Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, on his part, indicated the way to serve justice in memory and legacy of Oulanyah, should be through public debate.

“We gave the vow that through the education foundation that I'm privileged to chair, Jacob’s children will pursue their education interest to the highest level that they can afford,” Dollo said before he detailed the depth of his friendship with Oulanyah.

He disclosed that other activities including a prayer service and motor cross will be hosted in Omoro this weekend to mark one year since they lost Oulanyah.