Anita Among, the newly-elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament, has refused to take over the office of her predecessor Jacob Oulanyah because she feels strongly attached to him.
The newly-elected Speaker of the 11th Parliament, Hon Anita Among has refused to take up the office of her predecessor Jacob Oulanyah with claims that she was strongly attached to the deceased.
Among was last week elected to the position of Speaker after garnering 401 votes against a competitor, Hon. Asuman Basalirwa’s 66 votes.
Like it has been in past, the Speaker’s office is found on the 6th floor of Parliament while that of the Deputy is located on the 5th.
In an article published by the Nile Post, however, it has been reported that Anita Among will not be moving to level six where Oulanyah was formerly sitting.
Nile post quoted one source in the office of the Speaker who preferred anonymity stating that due to emotional memories Among holds about the deceased, she has declined to take up his office but let her Deputy Thomas Tayebwa move to the new office while she retains one that should have been Tayebwa’s.
“Madam is not well already and the office will not do her any good since she was too close to the deceased. Jacob’s death has not treated her well, you all saw, she wants something that keeps her away from his memories,” the Nile post wrote quoting one inside source.
This, however, comes at a time when the Speaker’s body is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow, Friday ahead of burial on April, 8th according to the National Organising Committee chairperson, Milly Babalanda.
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.
