Acholi Paramount Chief calls for hope and calm in the region as they mourn fallen Speaker

While addressing journalists about the fallen Speaker of Parliament Hon. Jacob Oulanyah on Monday, Acholi Paramount Chief Rwot Onen David Acana II urged the public to give respect to the deceased Speaker and his family urging them to keep strong and hopeful in these trying times to avoid getting involved in actions they may regret later.

On Sunday afternoon, the President on his twitter handle announced the death of Speaker Jacob Oulanyah who was airlifted to Seattle in the United States in February when his health condition worsened.

According to the Paramount chief, Oulanyah’s death is a tragic loss for the region but its unfortunate that most of the community members don’t know the exact cause of his death.

“We can’t pretend at this moment that all is well because we still have more unanswered questions about the death of the speaker and other sons of the land” he added also asking why their sons are dying shortly after elevation to  positions pf power.

The Paramount chief also called upon government to involve them in the burial preparations of Jacob Oulanyah by giving them a chance to mourn and speak on the state funnel unlike in Gen. Lokech’s funnel where they were left out by the state .

In his submission on how Jacob Oulanyah will be remembered, the Paramount chief described him as a dedicated and also a generally knowledgable person whose death will leave a dark future for the Acholi region.

By  end of business on Monday, The Minister of ICT Chris Baryomunsi informed the public that the next speaker will be elected on Friday 25 in a special sitting chaired by the Chief Justice and this has been done quickly to allow the legislators pay tribute to the late Speaker and also allow swift operations of the Parliament since the constitution doesn't allow any business to proceed if the Speaker isn't in office.

Baryomunsi also cautioned those that are circulating news of the burial program to stop it immediately and urged them to patiently wait for the national organizing committee.

President Museveni under appointed  the National Organizing committee, under the leadership of Presidency Minister Milly  Babalanda, to organise the official burial of the Late Speaker and also directed that the flags in Uganda fly at half- mast until the burial of the Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah which is provided for in the official burials' procedures.  

Hon. Oulanyah who was also the Member of Parliament for Omoro died on Sunday morning in Seattle United states of America.