Until his father’s demise, little or nothing was known about Ojok’s political ambitions in his native home district of Omoro or around the country. The 32-year-old had spent most of his career working as an Information and Technology professional at the National Information Technology Authority -Uganda (NITA-U) and other organizations.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regretted the demise of the former Speaker Oulanyah, saying that if he had known about his ailment, he would have advised him to concentrate on his health.
The former Kasese MP says the demand to ring fence political positions is a manifestation of NRM’s style of divide and rule where one tribe or region seems to favoured against the others.
Denis Hamson Obua, the Ajuri County MP in Alebtong District who expressed interest to contest for the speakership race on the NRM party ticket says that the position of the Speaker was allocated based on the performance of the party in last year's general elections.
NRM Parliament Caucus Spokesperson Alex Kintu Brandon said that vacant position of Speaker is open to all the legislators, thus they are free to express interest in it. He added that the caucus will sit on Thursday to front a candidate.
Iguru says Bunyoro and Acholi Kingdoms have strong cultural relationships and therefore, the death of Oulanyah is equally felt in Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom.
Minister of National Security, Maj. Gen Jim Muhwezi says Oulanyah was a cadre whose contribution to the country was unmatched. "Uganda has lost a great Leader. Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah was such a jolly, friendly, and charismatic Speaker of the house," he said.
The Samia-Bugwe Central MP Denis Nyangweso said receiving such sad news lowered down his spirit especially that the deceased did not enjoy the seat that he earned in the 11th Parliament through a tough contest.
Oulanyah, 56, was an agricultural economist, and lawyer, served as Deputy Speaker of the 2006 – 2016 under Rebecca Kadaga before defeating her on 24 May 2021 to become Speaker of the 11th Parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament has assured Ugandans and sportsmen and women that the sports sector will see an increase and not a decrease in the next sector budget allocation.
Oulanyah last presided over Parliament at the reading of the 2021/2022 financial year Budget at Kololo Independence Grounds shortly after his election as Speaker of Parliament. But his absence from the public triggered speculation about his heath, with media reports indicating that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs Chris Ariko Obore, the Speaker is well and having time with his children at home.
The office of the Speaker has been occupied for the past 10-years by the former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. However, she lost the seat to her former deputy and Omoro County MP Jacob Oulanyah in a vote held at the beginning of the eleventh parliament last month.
According to Kasaija, the loan which is equivalent to 647.5 Billion Shillings was obtained illegally by the government to fund the Second Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Programme Phase II because Parliament passed a resolution to borrow it without the necessary quorum way back in 2014.
Uganda Radio Network spoke to some of the staff on and off the record with many, saying that they don’t know what to do next. Stephen Bingi, a photographer attached to the speaker’s office who is on contract, says that the mood is low in the entire building especially for the people who have been working in the speaker’s office.
The Director Communications and Public Affairs Department in Parliament (CPA) Chris Ariko Obore has returned to office a day after the defeat of former Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga.
