Rt Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah was born on March 23, 1965 in Lalogi, Gulu District to Mzee Nathan Okori and Imat Karen Atwon Okori. Jacob attended St. Joseph’s College Layibi and Dr. Obote College Boroboro for his O-Level education where he took on leadership roles and honed his debating and oratory skills. He completed his A-Level education at Kololo Senior Secondary School in Kampala in 1987. Thereafter he joined Makerere University in 1988 where he studied Agricultural Economics, and graduated in 1991 with honors.
That same year, he enrolled in the school of law, also at Makerere University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC), where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice. Upon his graduation from LDC, he was retained as a lecturer at the Centre for two years.
While at Makerere University, Jacob got actively involved in student politics and went on to serve as the Guild Speaker between 1989 and 1990.
Together with colleagues Norbert Mao and Charles Owor, they started Oulanyah, Owor and Mao Company Advocates, a private law firm in Kampala in 1995.
In 1996, he married the love of his youth, Ms. Dorothy Nang’wale, an ardent child rights activist. She is believed to have been the force behind Jacob’s stellar political career. Dorothy passed on in August 2009.
He successfully contested for political office and joined the 7th Parliament as Member of Parliament (MP) for Omoro County, Gulu District in 2001. He was appointed to chair Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee in his inaugural term as MP.
He, however, lost the bid for re-election into the 8th Parliament in 2006 and bounced back in the 9th (2011-2016) and 10th (2016-2021) Parliaments where he served as MP and Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
Jacob was instrumental in the peace talks between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and the Government of Uganda that led to the silencing of guns in Northern Uganda.
In 2001 with the support of his wife, Dorothy, he initiated the establishment of the Uganda Parliament Forum for Children (UPFC) with nine (9) members. The forum has now become a household name. He served as the patron of the UPFC from inception till the time of his demise.
On 13th July 2019, Oulanyah was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Theology by Zoe Life Theological College USA, earning him the title Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
He served as a board member of The Global Majority, an international organization committed to the promotion of non-violent conflict management through education, training, networking and advocacy. He was also the Co-Rapporteur on the Committee of Political Affairs in the African Caribbean and Pacifi c/European Union groups of states (ACP/EU).
Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L. Oulanyah was re-elected to represent Omoro County, Omoro District, in the 11th Parliament as Member of Parliament. On 24th May 2021, he was elected as the Speaker of the 11th Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. His mission was to restore public confidence in the institution of Parliament and make it people-centered. On 19th March 2022, Rt. Hon. Dr. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah went to be with the Lord.
Jacob is survived by eight (8) children, three (3) grandchildren and several dependants. In addition, he is survived by his father Mzee Nathan Okori, brother Francis Emuna, and sisters Harriet Adong Okori and Betty Ajok Okori and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
ACTIVITIES PRECEDING THE BURIAL OF THE LATE RT. HON JACOB OULANYAH L’OKORI FORMER SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT
Sunday 20th March, 2022
H.E the President of the Republic of Uganda officially notified Ugandans about the death of the Rt. Hon. Speaker, in Seattle, USA.
Monday 21st March, 2022
Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament and NOC hold the first preparatory meeting for the State Funeral in Honor of the fallen Speaker.
Condolence Book is opened at Parliament for Members of the Public to pay tribute to the late Speaker, until when the body arrives in Uganda.
Friday 1st April, 2022
The body is received at Entebbe International Airport a board Ethiopian Airlines.
Casket proceeds to Funeral Home in Mengo.
Sunday 3rd April 2022
Casket proceeds to the home of the fallen Speaker in Muyenga, for viewing.
Tuesday 5th April 2022
Casket moved to Parliament of Uganda,where the Rt. Hon. Speaker leads Members of Parliament to pay last respects.
Wednesday 6th April, 2022
Casket is taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for H.E the President and Senior Government Officials to pay their respects.
Thursday 7th April, 2022
The Casket received in Omoro where a Regional Council bringing together Councilors from the Greater Northern Region pay tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament.
Friday 8th April 2022
Burial of the fallen Speaker of Parliament at his ancestral home, Omoro District. Public Holiday.
Order of service Below
Condolences(9)
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Emma M Hassan H says
March 23, 2022 at 3:00 pmIt’s well with us father, your will as been done.thanks lord for the Life of our brother, father, uncle and inlaw.
Pastor Peterson Kasharu says
March 23, 2022 at 9:21 pmRIP Rt Hon Speaker , a great Loss to the Nation.
May the Lord Strengthen Family.
Alfred says
April 1, 2022 at 2:41 pmTill we meet again our Speaker RT Hon Jacob Oulanyah! We shall always remember you as a nation! RIP
Esther Kyazike Sebadduka says
April 1, 2022 at 2:46 pmOn behalf of my electorate, Kawempe I C, I do pass on my sincere condolences to the bereaved family and the entire nation for the death of the Rt.Hon Speakerof Uganda, The late Dr. Jacob Oulanyah. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may God comfort his family and friends.
Hon. Esther Kyazike Sebadduka
Woman Councilor, Kawempe I C
Paul Akugizibwe says
April 1, 2022 at 3:21 pmMay your Soul find Mercy in God’s sight Jacob. Clearly, you fought a good fight, have finished your course, kept the faith and a crown of righteousness awaits you in Glory.
SHOLLAH BYAMUKAMA says
April 1, 2022 at 4:07 pmAs a country we have lost a great pillar and it’s very unfortunate.. but as a believer I know that to live is Christ and to die is gain(Phillipians:1:21).. I know that whether we live, we live for Lord and even when we die we die for Lord and we belong to Him(Romans:14:8)..Rest in Peace RT.HON.
MUGABI BRIAN says
April 6, 2022 at 4:53 pmTo the family of OULANYA and Uganda as a nation, With each new day may PEACE find a place in your hearts. As you walk through this time of loss, may you know that the Lord walks with you and he will comfort you. – May God bless All of you.
Nelson Okidi says
April 6, 2022 at 5:42 pmRest in peace dear brother. You were one of the finest leader in this generation. We will dearly miss your powerful voice of conscience and your ability to crystalize intricate national issues. Till we meet again.
Simon Olowo says
April 7, 2022 at 12:40 pmR.I.P RT. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah!!!!
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