Uganda assembly speaker succumbs to illness

By Michael Tapeng,

The speaker of the Ugandan 11th parliament Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah died on Sunday in the United States after a long illness. 

Oulanyah was elected to the position on the 24th May 2021, after defeating the former speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga.

He also served as deputy speaker of the Ugandan parliament from May 2011 until May 2021.

Oulanyah was also the member of Parliament representing the Omoro County constituency, Omoro District Acholi sub-region in Northern Region.

His death was announced by President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday at 1:07 pm through his official Twitter account. 
“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,” Museveni’s Tweet read.

Oulanyah, 56, was referred abroad on 3 February for specialized healthcare by doctors at Mulago National Referral hospital where he was first admitted in January.

“I join the people of Uganda in mourning the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.

The National Unity Party (NUP) leader Robert Kyangulanyi also known as Bobi Wine has joined many Ugandans on facebook across the globe to extend their condolences to the family of the politician and Uganda as a whole.

“On behalf of the National Unity Platform and on my own behalf, I extend deep condolences to his family, friends and the people of Acholi Sub-region as well as all Ugandans on this tragic event. May his soul rest in peace,” NUP Chairman Robert Kyangulanyi Alias expressed on his official facebook page.

Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah was born on 23 March 1965. He died on Sunday after a long illness. The speaker was a Ugandan agricultural economist, lawyer and politician.