All flags must fly at half mast
Ugandans are witnessing for the first time the death and procedures leading to the burial of a Speaker of Parliament in office.
The former speaker Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah died in office after serving only nine months and 24 days since his election and swearing-in on May 24, 2021. Oulanyah had been hospitalized in Seattle USA since February 03rd, battling a long unknown illness.
President Yoweri Museveni has revealed that Cabinet held a meeting on Monday and an official communication is yet to be issued in regards to burial arrangements.
He said that he has activated the National Organizing Committee, under the Minister for Presidency Milly Babirye Babalanda, to organize the official burial of the Late Speaker.
All flags must fly at half mast
Posting on his official social media platforms again, President Museveni condoled with the grieving family to the deceased and declared that all flags should fly at half mast effective Monday until the day of his burial.
“Countrymen and Countrywomen Yesterday, at about 12.40 pm, it was my sad duty to announce the untimely death of our Speaker, the Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, MP for Omoro. I extend my condolences, the condolences of my family and of all Ugandans to the children of Oulanyah and to his wider family.” he wrote
He further directed; “I direct that the flags in Uganda fly at half- masts until the burial of the Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. This is provided for in the official burials’ procedures.I will say more about Rt. Hon. Oulanyah in the coming days.”
Museveni also explained that by Monday morning, a team from Parliament had already left for the late Speaker’s village in Omoroto kick off burial preparations.
Oulanyah also Omoro County Legislator, was pronounced dead on Sunday at 1:07 pm by the President, Yoweri Museveni via his social media platforms. He mentioned that the announcement was delayed.
“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 “, I got information of this sad news at 10.30am, East African time from people that have been with him and the doctor that was caring for him in the intensive care unit. He was a good cadre. I delayed the announcement so that his children would be informed first.”the President’s Tweet read.
