Fallen Speaker Oulanya to be buried on 8th April; President declares public holiday

The government has set Friday 8^th April 2022 as the burial date for the late Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Jacob Lokoro Oulanya.

Oulanya died in Seattle US on Sunday 20^th March 2022.

According to Milly Babalanda the Minister for Presidency, who also doubles as the chairperson organizing committee for the burial ceremony, the events on the 8^th shall start at 9.00 am.

President Museveni has also declared the day to be observed as a Public Holiday.

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The body will arrive at Entebbe International Airport, aboard Ethiopian Airlines on Friday 1^st April 2022 at 2.00 pm. 

Babalanda says the casket will be received with full honours, and that a few leaders and family members will be allowed at this ceremony.

Immediately after, the casket will be handed over to A-plus Funeral Management. 

On Sunday 3^rd and Monday 4^th April at 9.00 am the body will lie at the home of the Speaker in Muyenga where friends and well-wishers will pay their last respects.

There will be a small service conducted and attended by a few invited people on Sunday.

On Tuesday 5^th April 2022 at 9.00 am the body will be moved to the Parliament of Uganda where the Rt. Hon. Speaker will lead the Members of Parliament to pay their final respects. The body will spend the night in Parliament.  

Then on Wednesday 6^th April 2022 at 9.00 am the body will be taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for a State Funeral, where the President of the Republic of Uganda and NRM National Chairman Yoweri Museveni will lead the nation in paying tribute to the late Speaker of Parliament.  

The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda; His Grace Dr Kazimba Mugalu will be the main celebrant. A maximum number of 1,500 persons including Members of the Executive, Members of Parliament, Members of the Judiciary, Foreign Dignitaries, Heads of Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Family Members and Leaders from Acholi sub-region will access the grounds.  

After the Ceremony, at 3.00 pm the casket will be airlifted to Omoro, Lalogi village; the Speaker’s ancestral home where it will be received by the family and Acholi leaders. There will be a night vigil at the home. 

On Thursday 7^th April 2022the body will lie at Lalogi for final respects by members of the public. And at 9.00 am on Friday 8^th April 2022, the burial ceremony will start.

Meanwhile, the National Flag will continue to fly at half-mast up to Friday, April 8^th the day of Burial. 

The Acholi Community will also perform the Acholi Burial Dance as requested by the Acholi Paramount Chief and as guided by security.

The Minister for Security Hon. Jim Muhwezi will address the nation on security measures being taken to ensure security and safety during this period.

The public has been asked to stay united and calm, and to follow the security guidelines to be issued as they observe and celebrate the final journey of the deceased.   

“I take the opportunity to thank and recognize the special contribution and efforts made by the Speaker of Parliament, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Health; Dr.

Ruth Achieng; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uganda’s Ambassador to the USA and the National Organizing Committee for the Burial of the Late Speaker,” Babalanda added.