Former Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Jacob Lokoro Oulanya will be laid to rest on Friday 8th April 2022, the government has said.
Milly Babalanda the Minister for Presidency, who is also the chairperson organizing committee for the burial ceremony says that Oulanya who died in Seattle US on Sunday 20th March 2022 will be buried at his ancestral home in Omoro, starting at 9.00 am.
The President has also declared that the day will be observed as a Public Holiday.
Oulanya’s body will arrive from the US at Entebbe International Airport, aboard Ethiopian Airlines on Friday 1st April 2022 at 2.00 pm. The casket will be received with full honors, and that a few leaders and family members will be allowed at this ceremony and immediately after, it 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 few invited 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 spend the night in Parliament.
Then on Wednesday 6th April 2022 at 9.00 am the body will be taken to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds for a State Funeral, where the President of the Republic of Uganda and NRM National Chairman Yoweri Museveni 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 Acholi sub-region will 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. And at 9.00 am on Friday 8th April 2022, the burial ceremony will start.
Meanwhile, the National Flag will continue to fly at half-mast up to Friday April 8th the day of Burial.
The Acholi Community will also perform the Acholi Burial Dance as requested by the Acholi Paramount Chief and as guided by security.
The Minister for Security Hon. Jim Muhwezi will address the nation on security measures being taken to ensure security and safety during this period.
The public has been asked to stay united and calm, and to follow the security guidelines to be issued as they observe and celebrate the final journey of the deceased.