Uganda bids farewell to former Speaker of National Assembly
The entrance to the Ugandan parliament in Kampala.
(Drawing).
AFP - YASUYOSHI CHIBA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The funeral of Jacob Oulanyah, the former speaker of the National Assembly, takes place this Friday in his native village of Lalogi in the northern district of Omoro.
Oulanyah died three weeks ago in the United States after a long illness.
The cause of his death remains unknown, but it has been the subject of much speculation.
The thesis of poisoning has even been mentioned.
This 57-year-old man played a key role in Ugandan political life and was an ardent supporter of peace in northern Uganda.
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Since last Friday, all of Uganda has been mourning the death of Jacob Oulanyah, considered a man of reconciliation.
On Wednesday, President Yoweri Museveni paid him a glowing tribute, congratulating his "
job well done
" in reconciling northern Uganda after years of conflict.
If you want to be fighters of Africa, you must pay attention to your health because you need it to fight for Africa.
Afya nzuri ni muhimu kwa mapambano.
Had I known prior that Jacob Oulanyah was juggling his health with politics, I would have told him to concentrate on health.
pic.twitter.com/rMhX55dEEa
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) April 6, 2022
Words reiterated Thursday, April 7 by its secretary general, Richard Todwong, during a meeting of heads of northern districts.
“
This assembly that Jacob has gathered here, in front of his house, in his presence, is an assembly that should unite our region.
The words he left us are those of unity;
and indeed, Mr. President, I see the proof of it.
»
Such a meeting had never happened before.
Nevertheless, this displayed regional unity does not prevent
rumors about the circumstances
of his death.
Norbert Mao, friend and former presidential candidate, was at his bedside in the United States.
“
Four people told me that the late Speaker of Parliament told them he had been poisoned.
I'm one of his closest friends, he never said anything like that to me.
He was a very popular person.
He had climbed many levels of Ugandan political life.
To die like this abroad is a source of great sadness for us.
»
This week, and as if to put an end to the controversy, the Minister of Health declared that Oulanya had died of cancer.
►
To read also: Uganda: the death of Jacob Oulanyah tenses the Acholi community
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