On 20th March 2022, a heavy dark cloud of sadness and tears befell Uganda when Dr.Jacob Lokori Oulanya, the Speaker of the 11th Parliament also a renowned political great brain bowed out!!
The deceased was flown out of the country for treatment on February 4, to Seattle, Washington in the United States and had since been under intensive medical care.
Government is yet to release the post-mortem detailing the cause of his death.
President Museveni while announcing the saddening death of Rt. Hon. Oulanya described him as a good Cadre.
The political journey of late Oulanya was characterized by humility, friendship, comedy, and intellectual engagements according to his close pals.
THE MAN OF PEACE, HARMONY
In 2001, when the deceased first joined politics and was subsequently elected to represent Omoro County in the then Gulu District on a UPC ticket, Oulanya propagated the message of unity, peace, and reconciliation in Northern.
At that time, the LRA war in the region had escalated but the political lad still encouraged wanainchi to support NRM government initiatives despite being in opposition so that peace could return in the region.
Born on March 23rd, 1965, to Nathan L’okori and Karen Atwon, Oulanya’s journey to joining the ruling NRM party became public in 2006 soon after the restoration of peace and stability in Northern Uganda.
It should also be recalled that the deceased prominently participated in the then Juba peace talk between the government of Uganda and the LRA rebel group.
At this point, his political fame had risen across the region especially when it became clear that peace and stability had been restored in the region following the miserable defeat of the LRA group by the government.
THE MAN OF HUMOR AND COMEDY
“I like to live a full life. I like to eat well. I like to just be normal. If today I feel like doing boxing, I want to do that, “The deceased once said.
The deceased loved music, dance, and comedy. It should be recalled that even during the hardest moment in the bush during the peace talk; Hon. Oulanya still endeavoured and caused erotic laughs of humour among members.
During the last campaign, the deceased while in various campaigns with President Museveni was seen beating drums, blowing the traditional whistle while enjoying Luo cultural songs including the famous ‘YOO LENG’ meaning the road is clear.
“My other job, I think I would do comedy. I enjoy it and I can make people laugh and in the process make myself laugh. When I crack jokes I don’t often laugh at them,” He once said.
In his narration of why he loves creating friends, the deceased once noted that; “when People laugh it makes me happy. I try to spend a lot of time making friends and relationships that bring me happiness. I like positive energy. I don’t like negative energy.”
“I like to be a free person. This is the only life I have. I don’t know about the other one because nobody has reported to me in a very conclusive way about what happens after,” He further noted.
Oulanya loved the culture, often beating the drum at traditional Acholi dances, and animals too, especially cattle.
The deceased loved gym, boxing, and motorcycling with his flamboyant outfit, a practice that associated him the most with various people including the youths.
OULANYAH’S BIOGRAPHY
He was born on March 23rd, 1965, to Nathan L’okori and Karen Atwon in the then Gulu District, the present Omoro district.
He attended St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Dr. Obote College Boroboro, and Kololo Senior Secondary School for his O-Level and A-Level education.
In 1988, he joined Makerere University, the oldest university in the East African Community, where he studied agricultural economics.
He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in that subject before he entered law school at Makerere University and graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
He served as speaker of the university students’ guild during his stay at Makerere. In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC), where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in legal practice.
He was elected the Speaker on May 24, 2021, after defeating the former Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga. He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament
