DEMISE OF RT. HON. JACOB OULANYAH L’OKORI SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT.

We have learnt with sadness of the death of the Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori. The Forum for Democratic Change would like to join  the rest of the country  in  mourning  the passing away of an astute political leader of our time. Rt. Hon. Oulanyah was such a gifted politician whose oratory abilities were unmatched by very many politicians  in our country. He was a uniting, fair and peaceful person whose respect for diverse political opinion was evident in the manner in which he gave equal opportunities to Members of Parliament on either side of the political divide. We remember Jacob as a competent lawyer and social worker who exuded benevolence and was always on the side of the Law.

We mourn a political icon whose rise to political prominence crystallized while he was at Makerere University in the late 80s where he served as Speaker of the students Guild under the leadership of Hon. Nobert Mao, alongside other notables like the late Nobel Mayombo, Adolf Mwesigye, Emmanuel Dombo, Sam Lyomoki, Dr. Francis Epetait, Hon. Alice Alaso, Hon. Jalia Binta Lukumu, the FDC President among others. While guild speaker,he was subjected to torture by the very government he later served leading to a life threatening situation requiring surgery. It is unfortunate that he has departed before the desired change in the livelihoods of Ugandans has happened.

We wish to thank Rt. Hon. Oulanyah for the dedicated service to Parliament of Uganda and the people of Omoro County and Uganda. We know that he could have performed much better if the prevailing political environment where all institutions of the state are under capture, allowed this to happen.

It is regrettable that Rt. Hon. Oulyanyah like a number of prominent Ugandans has had to died while receiving treatment abroad which continues to expose the poor health care facilities in the country and necessitates the constant call on the NRM government to put more resources to the improvement of health facilities in the country. On behalf of the FDC and on my own  behalf I would like to convey our most heartfelt condolences to fellow Ugandan, the NRM government, Parliament of Ugandan, his family and friends upon this sad occurrence. We continue to offer prayers for the repose of the soul of our departed Speaker. May the Almighty Lord Rest his soul in eternal peace.

POSTPONEMENT OF POLITICAL PROGRAMS IN THE NORTH

We also want to inform our members and the public that the FDC will be fully participating in all ceremonies leading to the burial of our friends and Brother Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori. I therefore wish to announce the postponement of our 8 day political program to Northern Uganda planned to commence on Thursday 24th  March, 2022.The Northern program will resume after the burial.  I also wish to announce that in keeping with the provision of the law flags will fly half-mast in all our offices across the country and abroad during the period of mourning.

DECLINING ECONOMIC SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY

Over the last one month we have raised the red flag about the rising fuel prices and subsequent rise in the cost of living. Prices of essential commodities like soap, salt, sugar continue to rise beyond the reach of a majority of Ugandans. It is sad that the NRM government is either clueless about what to do or are unwilling to intervene in this situation. Careless statements by the Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja about citizen who can’t afford soap using pawpaw leaves for washing is both discriminatory and irresponsible. We demand that she retracts the statement and apologizes to the Country

We  also wish to call on government to immediately intervene by reducing the tax fuel in order to bring down the cost of fuel and essential commodity prices.

Patrick Oboi Amuriat

PARTY PRESIDENT