President Museveni has paid tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, the former Speaker of Parliament, for his dedication and commitment to public service.
The President made the remarks on Thursday, March 28, 2024, during the Elders Mentorship and Leadership Awards luncheon 2024, held at State House Entebbe.
The ceremony was organised by the Office of the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Duties, headed by Odrek Rwabwogo, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development (PACEID).
Running under the theme “Modelling the Right Behaviour for the Youth of Africa in the 21st Century,” the President disclosed that the late Oulanyah was a good Cadre who listened to the message of the NRM government that enabled him to turn out to be one of the top leaders in the country before his demise.
“You remember he started from UPC, but when he listened to the message of the NRM, he was honest enough to say that I think these people are right. He was able to listen intellectually to what we were saying, and the accuracy persuaded him of what we were describing. He eventually joined the NRM and became very prominent in the party; that is how he became the Speaker, position number 3 in the whole country after President and Vice President,” President Museveni said.
The president added, “Oulanyah was able to do what he did because of a correct vision, and if you all follow what we have been saying, the country will move very first because we have everything here, but the main problem has been what should be done and why; you find people doing things that are not answering that question. What is the correct thing to do? We have told you about the commercialization of agriculture with “ekibaro,” industries and artisanship, services, and ICT.”
The Elders Mentorship and Leadership Awards, a programme aimed at recognising individuals who have shown exceptional service and leadership in their respective fields, have had at least 16 elders recognised for their immense role in the country’s development.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni also thanked Rwabwogo for organising the event, saying that people who contribute to the development of a society should be remembered and appreciated.
“I want to salute Mr. Odrek Rwabwogo and his group for remembering to do this and following it up. I normally support them, but they are the ones who brought up the idea and pushed it. I thank them because if you don’t recognise people who do well, then you let down society. After all, if the ones who do well are not remembered and appreciated, you may create a situation where people don’t bother to excel at doing well,” he said.
Nathan Okori, the father of the late Oulanyah, thanked the government for honouring the late Speaker.
“I’m really grateful that my late son is still remembered,” he said.
The event was attended by the Vice President, H.E. Jessica Alupo, former Prime Ministers, and Rt.Hon. Amama Mbabazi and Rt. Hon. Kintu Musoke, Government Chief Whip, Hon. Hamson Obua, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Works and Transport, Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Hon. Hilary Onek, and the and the Minister for General Duties, Hon. Kasule Lumumba, among other dignitaries.
