Youth from Lango sub-region have been called upon to be peaceful and seek peace as the country mourns the passing of the speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah.
Lango District Speakers Association chairman, Mr. Kenneth Owa Omara said that people are inciting the youth to be chaotic.
“It is sad that some people are inciting the youth to become chaotic over the cause of his death,” Mr. Kenneth Owa Omara said.
This follows several social media accounts explaining unconfirmed causes of Hon. Oulanyah’s demise who died in a US hospital on Sunday.
Mr. Owa who is also the Alebtong District Council speaker had earlier said that the deceased who was the patron of the Uganda District Speakers Association will be missed.
“We are angered by the demise of Oulanyah. He was a father, a true patriot, and a God-fearing person. His successor’s election should be guided by God,” Mr. Owa told journalists at Lira City Council hall on Monday evening.
The speakers’ fraternity in the Lango sub-region has also vowed: “to counteract those negative sentiments.”
Lira District Council speaker Mr. Morris Adem also condemned “those who want to bring back insecurity in this country after the death of the Omoro County legislator.”
“That is unacceptable and I would advise those inciting the youths not to try because time will come for them to be held responsible,” Adem said.
Mr. Adem said that the people of Uganda’s northern region suffered a lot during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel group insurgencies and wished for the country to never return to such dark days.
“People have died in this country; from the West, North and Eastern among other regions and such incitement should not happen,” said the District council speaker.
The Director of Communications in NRM, Emmanuel Dombo also asked the public for privacy as the family grieves the loss of their son.
“In Africa, sickness is a very private thing. Let’s allow Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah’s father to mourn his son. Let us not speculate,” said Emmanuel Dombo.
Mr. Patrick Okwir the Secretary-General of Uganda Urban Speakers Association also denounced violence, days after speculation went up over the cause of Hon. Olanyah’s death.
Speculations surrounding the death of the speaker are said to be perpetrated by those in opposition in order to cause violence and unrest. The government is urging the public to stay calm and await official communication from the doctors.