A moment of silence in honour of the late Speaker Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah has been observed at the 144th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly and Related Meetings taking place in Bali, Indonesia.
IPU President, Duarte Pacheco, paid tribute to Rt Hon Oulanyah and expressed the condolences of the IPU Members and Speakers to the people and Parliament of Uganda.
.@IPUparliament President, Duarte Pacheco paid tribute to Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah and expressed the condolences of the IPU Members and Speakers to the people and Parliament of Uganda. @newvisionwire @DailyMonitor @observerug
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_Ug) March 21, 2022
Oulanyah, 56, died on Sunday morning at a Seattle Hospital in the United States of America where he was admitted since February 4, 2021.
The cabinet is expected to meet today, Monday to discuss his burial arrangements.
"I forgave whoever has wronged me and sought forgiveness from whoever felt that I could have wronged that person in one way or the other. I said, please forgive me and I meant it…" – Rt Hon. @JacobOulanyah.
Rest in peace, my boss and friend 🙏 #RIPOulanyah pic.twitter.com/sFTCFBQ4B4
— Sarah Kagingo (@SarahKagingo) March 21, 2022
The government is expected to declare a mourning period while national flags will fly at half-mast.
Lawmakers are also expected to elect a new Speaker of the 11th Parliament, according to the Constitution.
#RIPJACOB. It is well! The Lord Reigns! pic.twitter.com/rZmMistszk
— Norbert Mao (@norbertmao) March 20, 2022
Article 82(4) provides that subject to Clause (4) of Article 81 of this Constitution, “no business shall be transacted in Parliament other than an election to the office of Speaker at any time that office is vacant”.
Clause 4 of Article 81 relates to incoming lawmakers taking oaths of office, and of Member of Parliament, in order to be eligible to vote, and be voted, as Speaker.
Glowing Tributes
Friends, colleagues, well-wishers and Ugandans at large have been paying him tributes since Sunday.
“He was a good Cadre,” said President Museveni who announced the Speaker’s death.
He was a good Cadre. I delayed the announcement so that his children would be informed first.
May His soul rest in eternal peace.
Signed:
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President and Chairman of the NRM.— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) March 20, 2022
NRM Secretary General Hon Richard Todwong said the demise of Rt Hon Oulanyah, a pillar in this country has cast a dark cloud on Uganda.
Fellow Ugandans, with great sadness we have received heartbreaking news of the death of the Rt. Hon. @JacobOulanyah, the Speaker of @Parliament_Ug of Uganda and our NRM party Vice Chairperson for Northern Region. pic.twitter.com/PR7JLNpXR2
— NRM Party (@NRMOnline) March 20, 2022
“Rt Hon Oulanyah has been known for his revolutionary leadership. He loved his country and served it with affection as a true patriot. As an exemplary leader he has been, the NRM party has lost a gem. He rallied fellow leaders to step above the ordinary and serve the people with diligence. He was an advocate for issue-based politics and his time at the helm of Parliament was dedicated to fronting debate that would change the lives of the ordinary Ugandan,” Todwong noted.
We join the rest of the country in mourning the sudden demise of the Rt. Hon. Jacob L'Okori Oulanyah, the speaker of the 11th @Parliament_Ug. May the bereaved family, friends, and relatives find solace in the Lord. RIP pic.twitter.com/skzp9c7OZJ
— Bishop Stuart University (@BishopStuartUni) March 21, 2022
In his victory speech as Speaker of the 11th Parliament, Oulanyah called on fellow legislators to desist from politics of intrigue as he vowed to overrule intolerance in Parliament.
“This passion for clean politics is what we as a country should emulate.”
Legacy
Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah was born on 23 March 1965 in Gulu District to Nathan L’okori and Karen Atwon.
The Makerere Law Society is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Rt Hon Speaker of @Parliament_Ug Jacob Oulanyah who passionately served @MakerereLaw as President in 1992/1993.
May God comfort his family in this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/xdQWcHaosk
— Makerere Law Society (@lawsocietymak) March 20, 2022
He attended St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Dr. Obote College Boroboro and Kololo Senior Secondary School for his O-Level and A-Level education.
In 1988, he joined Makerere University for a bachelor’s in Agricultural economics. In 1991, he enrolled for a Bachelor of Laws at the same university graduating in 1994. During his time at the university, he was elected as Guild Speaker.
We commiserate with all Ugandans as we mourn the Speaker of @Parliament_Ug, Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah's death.
May his soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/JpDKuFYmig
— Info-Communication for Health (@ICHUganda) March 21, 2022
In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC) where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in legal practice. After his graduation, he briefly lectured at the Law Development Centre.
In 2001, Oulanyah contested for the Omoro County Parliamentary seat which he won. In 2006, standing as a UPC candidate, he lost his re-election to Parliament. In July of the same year, he joined the ruling NRM party.
We extend our deepest condolences to Uganda for the loss of @Parliament_Ug Speaker Rt. Hon. @JacobOulanyah. His stewardship & illuminating political career as Speaker, Deputy Speaker and astute legislator in the House will be fondly remembered. May his soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/9rGIoC7rPU
— EU in Uganda (@EUinUG) March 21, 2022
In March 2011, he was elected to represent Omoro County then in Gulu District, in the Ninth Parliament on the NRM ticket. He was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2011.
In the 2016 general elections, Oulanyah was re-elected as MP and also as Deputy Speaker of Parliament.
It is with great sadness that we’ve known about the passing on of Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the Speaker of @Parliament_Ug, a great pillar to the nation.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family & close relatives on this sad day.
May his soul Rest In Peace. 🕯 pic.twitter.com/dZBmwTFVWx— Uganda Media Centre (@UgandaMediaCent) March 20, 2022
On 24th May 2021, Oulanyah was voted Speaker of Parliament. He served in this position until his demise on 20 March 2022 in a hospital in Seattle, USA.
Our deepest condolences to the family of the Late Rt.Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, @Parliament_Ug and the entire nation. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/hNXfyJFmus
— SEATINI UGANDA (@SEATINIUGANDA) March 21, 2022
I send sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Hon Jacob Oulanyah.
Please know that we shall keep you in our thoughts & prayers.“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) March 20, 2022
I join the people of Uganda in mourning the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob L'Okori Oulanyah.
On behalf of the @NUP_Ug and on my own behalf, I extend deep condolences to his family, friends, the people of Acholi Sub-region and all Ugandans. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/WlsUetd7Lp— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) March 20, 2022