Oulanyah succumbed to multiple organ failure
The Minister for Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng has revealed that the fallen Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah succumbed to cancer he had been battling since 2019.
Aceng was presenting the medical report on the cause of death of the fallen Speaker at a special sitting happening in Parliament on Tuesday. The casket with remains of the deceased lies in Parliament to pay tribute to him for his contribution and cognizance of the excellent and patriotic service to Uganda, the Acholi region and the people of Uganda.
Aceng informed 528 members of the August House, present, that the immediate cause of his death was multiple organ failure where his vital organs including the Heart , Liver , Kidney and lungs all shut down. She says that prior to his departure abroad for treatment, Hon Oulanyah had a failing liver and lungs filled with fluids.
“The immediate cause of death was multi organ failure. The heart failed, the lungs failed, the liver failed and the kidney failed,” Dr.Aceng said
Aceng further says while at the cancer institute in Seattle, USA, the heart and kidney of the deceased failed.
The health Minister says Oulanyah had been receiving treatment (chemotheraphy) at the Uganda Cancer Institute since 2018 under the guidance of the Director Jackson Oryem.
Oulanyah succumbed to multiple organ failure
The late also reportedly visited several hospitals abroad but his treatment was stalled in 2020 and 2021 during campaigns and elections for Speaker of the 11th Parliament.
Aceng reveals further that on January 23rd ,2022, the deceased was admitted at the Mulago National Referral Hospital for two weeks after suffering a bone marrow infection culminating from continuous chemotherapy. She adds that visits during his admission were restricted because his bone marrow was infected and he was susceptible to further infections.
According to the report, the deceased was later referred to the cancer institute in Seattle together with the UCI director Oryem where he was treated for bacterial and viral infections, abdominal bleeding among others
Background of illness
According to the Minister for Health, the ill health of the speaker started in 2019 when he discovered a swelling in the neck.
She says he took it upon himself to seek medical attention in Germany where it was removed and analyzed, returning positive for cancer.
He was started on treatment which he finished in Uganda Cancer Institute .
Aceng says the deceased’s health condition can be attributed to a health condition he suffered while a guild speaker and student at the Makerere University. He reportedly underwent a lymphatic System Depletion that led to the removal of his spleen.
