By Sarah Achen Kibisi and Daniel Bakalangude.
The Speaker of Uganda Parliament, Hon Jacob Oulanyah who passed on March 20, 2022 has been hailed as a defender and promoter of workers rights. Hon Oulanyah was committed in ensuring that the country catered for workers’ rights. He did not only play a significant role on presiding over legislation of laws that promoted labour rights in the country but also ensured the tripartite family of government, employers and employees(workers) thrived in harmony.
On a number of occassions trade union leaders held meetings with the fallen Speaker on how to tackle pertinent issues affecting workers. At the height of Covid-19 pandemic some bills were shelved and even withdrawn from business of the 11th Parliament following the January 14, 2021 General Elections. But considering the importance with which Hon Jacob Oulanyah attached to workers’ welfare he personally called for the NSSF amendment Bill 2021 to be reinstated on business for the 11th parliament and he fast – tracked debate in the House. ” Today I will breath . I have been getting phone calls from workers of this country. Parliament has delivered on the bill and the workers can now have mid – term access of 20 percent of their savings,” said Hon Jacob Oulanyah after Parliament passed the bill. Workers were in merriment as Hon Oulanyah declared he had ensured the House legislated on the matter as promised. But earlier Hon Jacob Oulanyah in February 2019 presided over the Minimum Wage bill and it was passed. The Minimum Wage Bill, 2015 sought to provide for the determination of a minimum wage based on the different sectors of the economy. But unfortunately President Yoweri Museveni did not assent to the bill tabled by Workers Member of Parliament Hon Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka.
In a condolence message issued on behalf of workers National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere said with deep sorrow workers join Parliament, all Ugandans and the family to mourn the loss of Rt Hon Jacob Oulanyah, the Speaker of Uganda Parliament. ” As workers we consider Hon Oulanyah as a gallant son of Africa, outstanding citizen of Uganda,” he said.
Mr Owere said Hon Oulanyah, an Economist, Lawyer and friend, was defender for workers rights . He said:” It was Hon Oulanyah who chaired and presided over the debate and passing of the Minimum Wage in 2019 and the just passed NSSF Amendment bill 2021. During the debate the Speaker promised to fast – track and follow up the whole process. But unfortunately the Speaker has not lived to witness NSSF mid – term access payout. ” We are saddened by the passing on of the Speaker. “We thank Hon Oulanyah for exemplary contribution in the development , peace and transformation of the country”, he said. The NOTU leader said as workers they join Ugandans in mourning the great son of the nation who put up unassailable contribution. Mr Owere told the Workers Eye that Speaker Jacob Oulanyah was a leading advocate for decent work and labour rights. He said the politician was enthusiastic in promotion of harmony in the labour fraternity and was the imbodiment for social justice.
The fallen Speaker had been ill for some time shortly after he was declared the winner of a hotly contested race for Speaker trouncing incumbent Hon. Rebecca Kadaga.
The media was awash with reports of his deteriorating health until recently when government flew him in a Uganda Airlines chartered flight to Seattle, USA. Rumours of his death were trending on social media for a week. On Sunday March 20, 2022 President Yoweri Museveni announced the speaker’s death. The President’s announcement came one week after a twitter handle of First son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba pronouncing Oulanyah’s death. The death of Omoro’s finest has since united Ugandans irrespective of political affiliation, race and status. The Workers Eye talked to some Ugandans on what they had to say after the demise of the Speaker.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) Spokesman, Hon. Emmanuel Ddombo said they had great hope in him as a party. “The young legislators will surely miss him because they had very little time to learn from him since he was nurturing them. It’s a great loss to his family, parliament and Uganda as a country.” he said.
“At his age, a lot was expected of him. The promises he made to parliament and we pray that God protects his family who will miss him,” said Hon. Dombo.
The Archbishop of Orthodox Church in Uganda, His Eminence Metropolitan Leronymos Muzeeyi described Oulanyah as an important person in the face of Ugandan politics besides being a lawyer. He said the late was a man of God, dynamic politician and the gifts which made him selfless wirth pain for others in in the country. “Uganda has lost a person who will be hard to replace.” he said.
Amuru Woman MP Hon Lucy Akello said she has not taken the issue of speakership race seriously. She said:” God gave an Acholi to serve Ugandans and god has taken him. We thank god for giving us Hon. Jacob Oulanyah.”
Hon Akello said she hopes the new Speaker takes on the legacy of Oulanyah in uniting the parliament of Uganda.
Wakiso woman MP, Hon. Ethel Naluyima said it is really sad that Uganda has lost a great son of the nation.
“We learnt some skills from him though he was briefly in office of the Speaker and we are grateful for his guidance in the house.“It’s a big loss to the country and Africa as a whole losing the Speaker of Parliament,” She said ■
