The Parliament resolved Tuesday that a total of sh1.8 billion rather than sh2.5 billion will be used to cover the burial expenses of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah.
On Tuesday, Parliament decided that sh1.8bn will be used to cover the burial expenses of the late Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, and not the previously reported sh2.5bn.
Earlier, the government had budgeted to spend Shs2.5bn for the Speaker’s burial. However, the State Minister for Planning, Amos Lugoloobi Tuesday tabled a request demanding the Statutory revision of the Budget of Vote 104 (Parliamentary Commission) for FY 2021/22 to Shs1.8bn.
“Colleagues at Daily Monitor, the government is not borrowing for the funeral. It is a statutory revision of the Parliament commission vote,” Lugoloobi said on Tuesday confirming the new figures.
Based on the Parliamentary Amendment Act, the Speaker or Deputy once dead while still in office, 30% of their annual salaries must be extended to cover all burial expenses.
Article four, Part D of the Parliamentary Pensions Act is very particular on the issue of the burial of the Speaker of Parliament. It states that S/He will be accorded a state funeral with 30% of their annual salary used towards that funeral.
This however comes at a time when the government has already released the burial programme for the late Speaker.
According to the National Organising Committee chairperson, Milly Babalanda, Oulanyah will be laid to rest on Friday, April 8 in Omoro District.
Babalanda who is also the Minister for the Presidency said April 8, the day when the fallen Speaker will be buried will be a public holiday throughout the whole country.
She noted that the casket holding the body of the deceased will arrive in the country this Friday at around 2.00 pm in full honour with only a few leaders and family members allowed at the venue.
Immediately after that, the casket will be handed over to A-plus Funeral Management. On Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th 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 people on Sunday. On Tuesday 5th 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 then spend the night in Parliament.
On Wednesday 6th April 2022 at 9.00 am, the body will be taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for a State Funeral. His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and NRM National Chairman 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 the Acholi sub-region will be allowed to 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 7th April 2022, the body will lie at Lalogi for final respects by members of the public. Then on Friday 8th April 2022, the burial ceremony will start at 9.00 am. The day will be observed as a public holiday.
