By Sarah Achen Kibisi.
The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu has called for a review of the constitutional provision that states that no business shall be transacted in Parliament before the election of the Speaker.
Kazimba was speaking during the pre-funeral service for the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah at his residence in Muyenga. Oulanyah passed on Sunday, March 20, 2022 in Seattle, United States of America (USA) where he was receiving treatment.
According to Kazimba, although many people are mourning the death of the Speaker campaigns to replace him intensified even before his burial.
He asked the Members of Parliament to revisit Article 82 of the constitution.
“We are still mourning; of course when you have to look for a position, you have to drum up support, you are restless here and there. You are not mourning at all or you are mourning quietly while campaigning,” he said.
He said when a President passes on, the Vice President takes charge and this should be the same case with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
“We as religious leaders we have been disappointed by our constitution in that area. Who will talk about it?. You cannot blame anybody because we have not had the experience before and now its a high time we revisited immediately,” Kazimba said.
He said that this should be the key priority of the incoming Speaker as it is a challenge that sends a wrong message to the people.
On Oulanyah’s death, Archbishop Kazimba said Ugandans and the Anglican community has been left with many questions without answers.
He described Oulanyah as a man who loved God, a generous man, a brother, a leader, and a man with a great musical voice. According to Kazimba, Oulanyah supported the church and cared for the less privileged.
The late Speaker of Parliament donated Ushs 200 million towards offsetting the Equity bank loan which threatens to have the Church house taken away over the debt..
He also asked Christians to accept the fact that it is God that brought Oulanyah into this world and he has now taken him to a better place. The churchman said that although in Kyagwe where he comes from people believe that there is usually someone responsible for every death. ” Our people believe that nobody just dies like that. But it is important for them to know that God planned life and therefore death is just part of it,” he said.
In the function attended by several friends and the family of the deceased Speaker, Kazimba prayed for the children for God to protect them and also give them courage. ■
