Jacob Lokoli Oulanyah, the newly elected Speaker of Parliament, has stated he will carry out his word while presiding over the 11th Parliament.
The newly-elected Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Lokoli Oulanyah has said he will put his word to action while presiding over sessions of the 11th Parliament.
Oulanyah made the remarks shortly after winning the election to become Speaker. He gathered 310 votes over his former boss Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga who managed only 197 votes.
In his speech, the new Speaker said, unlike many leaders who promise to do things and later fail to accomplish them, his reign will be memorable.
He said on top of achieving all the tasks he has promised, he will rebuild not only the friendship of the Parliamentarians but also promote unity and togetherness amidst all the party differences.
“This particular election has been challenging. As a result, expectations are high, fears and uncertainties exist but together we must rebuild our friendship. I promise to provide leadership through this and walk the talk.”
“Expectations are high but together we should mend the bridges,” Oulanyah said expressing his gratitude to all those who made it possible for him to be elected Speaker.
“I am truly humbled to be elected Speaker of this Parliament and I promise to work together with the Deputy Speaker that you will select to repay the confidence you showed when you elected me as Speaker,” the Omoro legislator said.
RT. Hon. Dr Jacob L. Oulanyah who is a strong affiliate of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has been serving as the deputy speaker of parliament for the last 10 years.
About Jacob Oulanyah
Jacob L. Oulanyah is a Ugandan agricultural economist, lawyer and politician, who has been serving as the Deputy Speaker of the Ugandan parliament since 19th May 2011.
Oulanyah was born in Gulu District, on 23 March 1965. He attended St. Joseph’s College Layibi, Dr Obote College Boroboro, and Kololo Senior Secondary School for his O-Level and A-Level education.
In 1988, he joined Makerere University, the oldest university in the East African Community, where he studied agricultural economics.
He graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in that subject. That same year, he entered law school, also at Makerere University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor of Laws degree.
During his time at Makerere, Oulanyah served as speaker of the university students’ Guild. In 1995, he attended the Law Development Centre (LDC), where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in legal practice.
Following his graduation from the LDC, Oulanyah worked as a lecturer at the centre. During the same time, he began private law practice at the law firm of Oulanyah, Onoria & Company Advocates.
In 2001, he contested for the parliamentary seat of Omoro County, the then Gulu District under the no-party system also known as the Movement Political System.
Oulanyah was however a cardholder of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). He also participated in the peace talks between the government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army rebels.
In 2006, Oulanyah as a UPC candidate lost his re-election bid. In July 2006, he quit the UPC and joined the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
In 2008 he served as the chairman of the commission of inquiry into the controversial sub-lease of Kisekka Market, one of the municipal markets in the city of Kampala.
In March 2011, Oulanyah was elected to represent Omoro County than in Gulu District, in the Ninth Parliament, this time on the NRM ticket. He was elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2011.
Following the February 2016 general election, Oulanyah was re-elected as Deputy Speaker of Parliament on 19 May 2016.
On 24th May 2021, Jacob Lokoli Oulanyah was elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament of Uganda.
