Museveni to pay school fees for Oulanyah’s children

By Ben Musanje

25^th March 2022

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has committed to pay the school fees for the children of the fallen Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah.

The President made the commitment while meeting the Greater North Parliamentary Forum representatives at State House Nakasero last evening.

The 15-member delegation from Acholi, Lango and West Nile Parliament groups had sought audience with the President demanding the vacant position be ring-fenced for Northern Uganda, where the Oulanyah hailed from.

Established in May 2008, the Forum offers political leadership and monitoring to the Post Conflict and Recovery Process of Northern Uganda.

It comprises of all Members of Parliament from the Greater North offering a neutral space for MPs to engage beyond party constraints.

The MPs argued that Oulanyah’s influence earned the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM party overwhelming support in Northern Uganda for the first time in three decades.

They also pointed out that Oulanyah short-lived his dream, serving for only nine months.

This is reported by Judith Alyek, the Lango Parliamentary Group – LPG Chairperson.

Oulanyah was supporting up to 150 learners in Primary, Secondary and the University.

Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South County MP in Amuru District expressed disappointment with the President over his decision to decline to the demands of the concerned MPs, arguing that the deceased’s position was a reward to him and the region.

The Late Oulanyah, 56, died on Sunday March 20th, 2022 from a hospital in Seattle, United States of America where he was admitted for specialized treatment since February 4th. He was the first serving Speaker to die in office.